Press Release Archive

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.

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.

The brand new netball court at the Parkdene/Maraiskamp Sport ground is fully tarred after it has been built from scratch and will get its final synthetic covering this financial year. This covering will be durable and flexible. All of George netball courts are upgraded to the same standard so our players can be World Cup ready for the South Africa 2023 Netball World Cup that will be held in Cape Town hosted at Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).

This will mark the first time the tournament will be held in Africa. At the new court are George Executive Mayor Ald Leon van Wyk with the ball. To his right is Leveinia Botha (Sports Development), and to the far left is Shanold Marillac (Senior Manager: Sports Development, Social Development and Libraries) as well as Granville Campher (Manager: Sports Development).

Golden Valley Housing Project steadily moving forward
Issued George Municipality, 14th July 2021

The Golden Valley Housing Project in Blanco is moving forward steadily and another three houses were handed over to families last week. The project is currently in Phase 1 which consists of the building of 136 top structures (actual houses) to qualifying beneficiaries. Six completed houses including last week’s three have been handed over to date . Only those houses where the electricity connections were fully finished were handed over.
Cllr Raybin Figland, Portfolio Councillor of Human Settlements, said this just another way George Municipality is saying “we care about our people. We will continue to build on our success and stay with our mandate to deliver to our people,” Figland said.
Cllr Jean Safers, Ward Councillor for the area, said the people who received homes are relieved that this day is here. “I help and attend to these people who have problems in the informal settlement with their huts as soon as we experience heavy weather. I feel happy with the beneficiaries today.”

One of the beneficiaries, Joseph Fouche, gave all the glory to God for his new home. Andrew Fortuin said “I am grateful and I feel wonderful.” Maria Saaiman said she is so happy.

According to Charles Lubbe, Director: Human Settlements, the beneficiaries had been identified earlier and the subsidies approved by the Western Cape Provincial Department of Human Settlements. The Golden Valley housing project will accommodate all residents of the informal areas in Blanco, although not all will receive top structures. Qualifying families where the participants are older than 35 years, and whose monthly income is less than R3 500, receive top structures. Other residents of the informal area who do not meet the latter criteria receive a serviced erf. A serviced erf contains sewerage services with a toilet, a water connection and electricity connection.

The contractor, Marnol, has been appointed by the Provincial Department of Human Settlements to complete the project. It is envisaged that the projected completion date of the project will be November 2021.

Captions:
Blanco 1: Cllr Raybin Figland, Portfolio Councillor of Human Settlements welcomes Joseph Fouche, his sister, Marinda Fouche and her daughter Jolene (3) to their new home. With them are from left, Mbulelo Suping from Marnol Projects, Ward Councillor Jean Safers and on the far right is Madoda Bokwe, a Human Settlements official.
Blanco2: Maria Saaiman receives her house keys from Cllr Raybin Figland with her daughter, Elizabeth, looking on.
Blanco 3: Andrew Fortuin with the handing over of his house. Officially handing over the home is Cllr Figland and to the far left is housing official, Madoda Bokwe.

MANDELA DAY: GO GEORGE supports community initiatives
GO GEORGE staff always enjoy demonstrating care and compassion by giving of their personal time to the community on Mandela Day.

This year, as was the case in 2020, Covid-19 lockdown restrictions and safety measures limited the ways of reaching out and making a difference. However, there is always some way to send a message of care to those in need, and to support the organisations and volunteers dedicated to improving their lives.

Generous donations from the GO GEORGE staff in their personal capacity made it possible to deliver 20 care packs to the Phambili Refuge for Women and Children, as well as bread and soup ingredients to CREMHOG, an organisation providing food to the homeless, amongst other initiatives. A few staff members also decided to donate blood.

James Robb, GO GEORGE Manager, expressed the commitment of the bus service and all stakeholders to the upliftment of the George community. “Our staff’s personal contributions towards the Mandela Day initiative are but a token of our commitment towards building the caring society that Madiba has envisioned and strived for,” he said.

CAPTIONS:
PHAMBILI:
Contributions from GO GEORGE staff made it possible to deliver 20 care packs to the Phambili Refuge for Women and Children. Receiving the donation is Megan October from Phambili (left), with Basil Myners (GO GEORGE Communications Team) and Tyron Jeyi (GO GEORGE Community Liaison Officer).

CBD FOOD INITIATIVE:
GO GEORGE staff donated soup packs and bread in support of CREMHOG, a volunteer organisation providing food to the homeless. Handing over the donation to André Olivier (far right) are Basil Myners (GO GEORGE Communications Team), left, and Tyron Jeyi (GO GEORGE Community Liaison Officer).
BLOOD DONATION – 2 photos:
To support the Mandela Day initiative of giving back to the community, Cecil Barry and Nondumiso Buthelezi, members of the GO GEORGE system planning team, donated blood at the Western Cape Blood Service.

MANDELA-DAG: GO GEORGE ondersteun gemeenskapsinisiatiewe
Uitgereik 18 Julie 2021

GO GEORGE-personeel geniet dit altyd om omgee en deernis te toon deur van hul persoonlike tyd aan die gemeenskap te gee op Mandela-dag.

Vanjaar, soos in 2020 ook die geval was, het Covid-19-inperkings en -veiligheidsmaatreëls die maniere waarop mense kan uitreik om ‘n verskil te maak, beperk. Daar is egter altyd ‘n plan te make om ‘n boodskap van omgee te stuur aan diegene in nood, en om die organisasies en vrywilligers wat toegewy is aan die verbetering van hul lewens te ondersteun.

Ruim skenkings van die GO GEORGE-personeel in hul persoonlike hoedanigheid het dit moontlik gemaak om onder meer 20 sorgpakkies aan die Phambili-toevlugsoord vir vroue en kinders te oorhandig, asook brood- en sopbestanddele aan CREMHOG, ‘n organisasie wat kos aan die haweloses verskaf. ‘n Paar personeellede het ook besluit om bloed te skenk.
James Robb, GO GEORGE-bestuurder, het die verbintenis van die busdiens en alle belanghebbendes tot die opheffing van die George-gemeenskap uitgespreek. “Ons personeel se persoonlike bydraes tot die Mandela-dag-inisiatief is maar ‘n klein gebaar van verbintenis tot die bou van die omgee-samelewing wat Madiba gevisualiseer en nagestreef het,” het hy gesê.

Byskrifte:
PHAMBILI:
Bydraes van GO GEORGE-personeel het dit moontlik gemaak om 20 sorgpakkies aan die Phambili-toevlugsoord vir vroue en kinders te lewer. Hier ontvang Megan October van Phambili (links), die skenking van Basil Myners (GO GEORG-kommunikasiespan) en Tyron Jeyi (GO GEORGE-gemeenskapskakelbeampte).
CBD FOOD INITIATIVE:
GO GEORGE-personeel het soppakkies en brood geskenk ter ondersteuning van CREMHOG, ‘n vrywilligersorganisasie wat kos aan die haweloses verskaf. Hier ontvang André Olivier (heel regs) die skenking van Basil Myners (GO GEORGE-kommunikasiespan), links, en Tyron Jeyi (GO GEORGE-gemeenskapskakelbeampte).
BLOEDSKENKING – 2 foto’s:
Om die Mandela-dag-inisiatief om terug te gee aan die gemeenskap te ondersteun, het Cecil Barry en Nondumiso Buthelezi, lede van die GO GEORGE-stelselbeplanningspan, bloed by die Wes-Kaapse Bloeddiens geskenk.