last-news

The Executive Mayor of George, Alderman Leon van Wyk during his visit to the Workers Collection Point (WCP) on Tuesday, 14 March 2023 pleaded to employers in George and to people looking for employment to fully utilise this facility that was established for private individuals and businesses to utilise it as a central point for those who wish to employ temporary workers and for job seekers to avail themselves for employment opportunities.

The Municipality wants to emphasize that the Workers Collection Point, which is situated on Industrial Street, in George Industrial, is the only authorised place for job seekers and for pick-up of job seekers. The WCP is staffed by officials from the George Municipality’s Economic Development Department. What makes the WCP reliable and safe for both job seekers and employers it is run professionally with the registration of job seekers capturing their personal information such as their names, identification documents and address as well as details of the employers to ensure adequate management of the whole process.

Executive Mayor Leon van Wyk meets job seekers at the Workers’ Collection Point during his visit.

Mayor van Wyk visited the centre to ascertain its functionality after it has been closed temporarily last year. The Municipality was unfortunately compelled to temporarily close the Workers Collection Point (WCP) in August 2022 due to ongoing safety challenges and concern for the well-being of the staff. Following a risk assessment that was conducted and addressed at the facility, the George Municipality is happy to announce that the workers’ collection point services have resumed since February this year. However, the Municipality notice that there has been a low number of both job seekers and especially the employers.

Alderman van Wyk appeals to the community of George to make use of this facility. “We are busy re-launching the whole Workers Collection Point program, so in other words, we’ve got workers who come to this point and are looking for work. They may well be painters they may well be in the construction industry; they could be drivers; they could be general workers.”

We appeal to employers not to look around for workers, but to come to the Workers Collection Point; it’s fully operational, and professionally run. Companies and businesses who are looking for workers that they might need on a temporary basis can come and collect them and come and select them,” Ald van Wyk added.

Ongeziwe Mthongwana (Local Economic Development official), Alderman Leon van Wyk (Executive Mayor of George), Portfolio Councillor Dirk Wessels (Financial & Strategic Services), Dr Kosie Haarhoff (Deputy Director for Strategic Growth and Development and Kelvin Abrahams (Local Economic Development Official). 

“We are also busy building a profile; a little CV of each of these workers and we hope to include this on our municipal app and also to try and get a check on how everybody has worked at the end of the day so that we can start building a more permanent career for each of these people. So, we would love our citizens and our businesses and our companies to join us and participate in this scheme so that we can make sure that our citizens have work thank you.”

George Municipality has successfully run the facility for more than five years and has proved to be a huge success. In the past, many of the work seekers have secured longer-term work (e.g., 2-week contracts) and several permanent positions have also materialised.  The demand for skilled labour (e.g., bricklayers and carpenters) often outweighed the supply of these skills at the facility.

It’s a thumbs-up for the Workers Collection Point as it is the only authorised place for job seekers and for pick-up of job seekers. Mayor van Wyk, Councillor Dirk Wessels and Local Economic Development officials meet the job seekers at the Workers Collection Point.

The WCP is situated at 12 Industrial Street, George Industrial and operates between 07:45 and 15:00, Monday to Friday. It is staffed by the following two officials from the Planning and Development Department

Kevin Abrahams, Email: kabrahams@george.gov.za  and Ongeziwe Mthongwana, Email: omthongwana@george.gov.za For enquiries, please phone the office on 044 801 9173.

ENDS.

George Municipal Tourism Manager, Joan Shaw, attended Meetings Africa 2023 from 27 February to 2 March 2023 at the Sandton Convention Centre, in Johannesburg. Business meetings were pre-arranged with more than 30 buyers and business event organisers, over three days where George, Wilderness and Uniondale were positioned as the perfect destination to host small, medium, and large business events.

This is part of the strategy that George Tourism has adopted since the Covid pandemic, to attract more business through groups and events, and this has paid off as George’s recovery has been phenomenal to date, with many events taking place every month.

Joan met event and conference organisers, as well as tour operators that deal in both group and leisure travellers in the foreign individual travel (FIT) markets, and although the objective was to focus on the Garden Route’s Traditional markets of Germany and the United Kingdom, appointments with George were sought after by buyers from more than 10 counties including the United States of America, France, Turkey, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Spain, and Russia. The keen interest from the United States can be ascribed to the direct flights from that continent now flying to Cape Town.

Joan Shaw said “Meetings Africa exists to provide a platform for exhibitors to showcase their offerings to International and local buyers, African associations, and corporate planners. It is a formidable platform to meet face-to-face with the most influential buyers in the world, and to be part of South Africa and ultimately George’s tourism and economic growth.”

Meetings Africa, owned by South African Tourism, serves as the primary platform to enable the growth of the business events industry on the continent. George attended on the Wesgro platform, making it more cost-effective for the destination to participate.

Joan Shaw said “Meetings Africa exists to provide a platform for exhibitors to showcase their offerings to International and local buyers, African associations, and corporate planners. It is a formidable platform to meet face-to-face with the most influential buyers in the world, and to be part of South Africa and ultimately George’s tourism and economic growth.”

Ends.

The Executive Mayor of George, Alderman Leon van Wyk was a panellist at the Western Cape Premier Alan Winde’s weekly Digicon on Thursday, 9 March 2023 to feature and discuss the Municipality’s plans for becoming energy resilient and other related initiatives.

This was Premier Winde’s second digital media briefing of a string of upcoming weekly briefings on energy-related issues and George was the first municipality invited to address Digicon. A special focus this week was on the George Municipality’s energy projects. Mayor van Wyk was accompanied by the Municipal Manager of George, Dr Michele Gratz and the George Municipality’s Director for Electrotechnical Services, Mr Bongani Mandla.

Mayor van Wyk spoke about the Municipal intentions on Energy efficiency and demand management through reduction of own consumption, Self-generation (Municipal and private) Small scale energy wheeling, enabling Small-Scale Embedded Generation (SSEG) and restructuring of tariffs.

“We are extremely proud to have had the opportunity, as George Municipality to be able to present on the Digicon that was hosted by the Premier of the Western Cape,” said Mayor van Wyk. “It is important that local municipalities do look and see what they can do to assist their citizens in fighting off the effects of load-shedding, and these are major effects on all municipalities and we are very glad that we’ve been able to share work that we are doing in combatting this issue, and let’s all work together to see what we can do to sort out this problem and the challenges the lie ahead.”

Premier Winde also expressed his appreciation of the George Municipality’s willingness to share its energy plans. “I would like to thank George Municipality’s Executive Mayor, Leon Van Wyk, for joining our #EnergyDigicon today. I am committed to ensuring that the Western Cape Government works tirelessly to mitigate the devastating effects of rolling blackouts in our province.

For a recording of the latest Digicon, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/live/SpBdggu90d0?feature=share

Ends.

Flood wrap of the weekend

Issued by George Municipality on 7 March 2023 for immediate release

Due to the George Municipality’s preparedness and a contingency plan consisting of integrated multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary services within the organisation, we were well prepared for the heavy rainfall and flooding expected  in George and Uniondale areas over the past weekend following the South African Weather Services Level 6 warning received on Friday 3 March.  George in general measured approximately 60 mm of rain from Friday, 3 March until Sunday, 5 March. The Municipality implemented measures aimed at disaster prevention, mitigation, and response, after receiving the predicted heavy rainfall and severe thunderstorms from Saturday night to Monday morning.

Uniondale and Haarlem

In Uniondale, 65mm of rainfall was measured from Saturday until Sunday and about 68 mm of rainfall in Haarlem on the same days. Uniondale and Haarlem areas had the most damage with the newly upgraded Uniondale Fire Station that was almost completely flooded despite preventative preparations. Trenches and sandbags were used to attempt to prevent flooding but to no avail. The volume of the downpour was simply too much for the measures that were in place.

A farm in the Kammanassie area was cut off from access due to the Kammanassie River flooding. The resident was unable to pick up an urgent emergency consignment of medication for an epileptic patient and the George Fire Department assisted with the matter due to the emergency. A 4×4 vehicle was used to cross the flooded river and after some water had subsided as well.  Several roads were damaged in Haarlem and after the flooding a number of the stormwater drains need to be cleared of debris and which officials have started with.

The roads in Uniondale are extensively damaged by the storm that happened on Sunday, 5 March 2023. The road that was most adversely affected is Uitvlught road as well as Cemetery Road, Laetitia Avenue, Wehmeyer Street, Albert Street, Cathcart Street, Rose Street, Aberdeen Street, Buitenkant Street, Berg Street and Parlement Street. Some stormwater issues were experienced where large amounts of gravel washed into people’s driveways and properties. Officials have started by clearing rocks, stones and sand off the roads.

In Uniondale,  40 callouts were made for formal and informal housing with regard to the supply of gunplas and flood damage, with another 40 callouts in Haarlem. After these families were assisted with most flooding issues and glunplas it was not necessary to evacuate any of their premises.

Preparations in Advance

Our Civil Engineering Stormwater teams checked and cleared roughly 100 drains along 21 Streets in George areas from Friday afternoon till 22h00 and again on Saturday from 08h00 to 22h00. Three teams were put in place to check hotspot areas where flooding problems have occurred previously.  During the storm on Sunday, only four complaints came in of people needing assistance with catch pits.

The Disaster management department had to bring in two additional staff members to assist with the call volumes at the Call Centre. Our disaster and fire brigade officials monitored areas such as Hope Street and other areas around George. Sanparks breached the Touwsriver mouth at 15h30 on Monday afternoon. The Corporate Services Directorate had halls on standby to be used if people needed to be evacuated but this wasn’t necessary.

The George Traffic Services remained on standby for the duration of the storm and at least three vehicle accidents were reported on Provincial Roads. Two motor vehicle accidents were reported to the Fire Department on Sunday in Outeniqua Pass and one accident in Kaaimans Pass. The Fire Department received only 7 calls in the George area for assistance with sandbags at residential properties.

Our Human Settlements, Planning and Development Directorate cut gunplas on Friday in preparation for delivery on Saturday and Sunday. Gunplas was delivered to applicants on Saturday for them to place on their roofs in preparation for Sunday’s rain. More critical areas were serviced on Sunday. A total of 138 pieces of gunplas were delivered over the weekend in George,including Uniondale and Haarlem. Pre-preparation and delivery of gunplas before the inclement weather assisted immensely as the teams could attend to the most critical complaints received from the Fire Department. The Directorate continued with the delivery of gunplas after the storm. The Directorate’s maintenance section assisted 14 Rosemoor Units for the Aged with roof leaks and gunplas as well as 10 units where water was leaking through the doors.

George Municipal Manager, Dr. Michele Gratz, had huge praise and thanks to all the officials for their commitment to managing this potential disaster. “I think we did well and our preparations helped in many respects,” Gratz said. She thanked the teams for responding very quickly to potential issues and putting in long hours of hard work. George Executive Mayor Ald Leon van Wyk echoed the many thanks to all the staff and especially the teams on the ground. He said the preparations were excellent and he’s excited about the rainfall that we’ve had.

Video of the Touw Rivermouth being breached.

Our teams cleared the the roads and stormwater drains in Uniondale during the flooding.

Flooding at the Uniondale fire station that was recently refurbished.

Members from the George Fire brigade delivered emergency medicine with a 4×4 vehicle to a farm that was cut off due to the Kammanassie River that was in flood.

Debris lying in the road at Uniondale Poort after the storm.

Stormwater teams drive through Magnolia Street, Groeneweide Park to check and clear stormwater drains.

Check ups was done wat Moeggehuur and Moeggeploeg to make sure people’s homes were not flooded and if they needed gunplas.

Stormwater teams cleared stormwater drains all around George since Friday to be prepaped for any flooding.

In preparation for the roll-out of the GO GEORGE bus service to Thembalethu, test drives through the area are currently taking place, supported and monitored by local law enforcement agencies, including the SA Police Service and the traffic department.

During these drives, undertaken in different sizes of GO GEORGE buses, the real time it takes to complete the various proposed routes by bus will be established and checked against the proposed timetables.

GO GEORGE-TOETSRITTE DEUR THEMBALETHU

Toetsritte ter voorbereiding van die uitrol van die GO GEORGE-busdiens na Thembalethu vind tans in die gebied plaas, ondersteun en gemonitor deur plaaslike wetstoepassingsagentskappe, insluitend die SA Polisiediens en die verkeersdepartement.

Tydens hierdie ritte wat in verskillende groottes GO GEORGE-busse onderneem word, sal die werklike tyd wat dit neem om die verskillende voorgestelde roetes per bus te voltooi, vasgestel en aan die hand van die voorgestelde roosters nagegaan word.

The George Municipality has prepared a contingency plan consisting of integrated multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary services within the George Municipality including Uniondale, to respond and implement measures aimed at disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, and response, to the predicted heavy rainfall and severe thunderstorms from Saturday night to Monday morning.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued a weather warning of severe thunderstorms on Sunday, 05 March 2023 from 00h00 to 23h59. “Orange Level 6 warning for Severe Thunderstorms resulting in heavy downpours, strong damaging winds and flash flooding leading to damage to infrastructure are expected in the Overberg and Garden Route districts on Sunday,” SAWS announced.

Affected areas are: Bitou, Cape Agulhas, George, Hessequa, Kannaland, Knysna, Mossel Bay, Oudtshoorn, Overstrand, Swellendam and Theewaterskloof. The George Municipality disaster management, Community Services, Planning and Human Settlements, traffic Services, Civil Engineering and Technical Services are on high alert to respond to heavy downpours and severe thunderstorms. The SAWS forecast the rainfall accumulation of 70-100mm and strong and gusty winds (50-60 km/h, gusting 70-80km), excessive lighting and large amounts of small hail (1-2 in diameter) can be expected in the mentioned districts.

The Executive Mayor of George, Alderman Leon van Wyk has meanwhile contacted Eskom to request a possible relief from load shedding during the night, as part of George Municipality’s preparations for the expected heavy rainstorm later on Saturday, into Sunday and Monday morning. “Load shedding has a great potential to affect work by emergency services and citizens living in vulnerable areas and circumstances. We trust that ESKOM will provide exemption from loadshedding during the night should the situation warrants it.” Mayor van Wyk said.

The Municipality appeals to residents to be alert and cautious. If possible, stay off the roads. Remain indoors and away from metal objects. If on the road avoid flooded areas and rivers, be ready to move to higher ground if necessary. Remember to keep pets safe. Watch the George Municipal social media pages, website and local media for updated information.

Important contact detail for emergencies:

Switchboard: 801 9111 (7.45 am-4.30 pm)
AFTER-HOURS AND EMERGENCIES: 044 801 6300
FIRE EMERGENCIES: 044 801 6311

Fire and Rescue: 044 801 6311 or 044 801 6300
Law Enforcement: 044 801 6350/89

UNIONDALE
Fire: 044 752 1225
Switchboard and fault reporting: 044 752 1024

Ends.

Following the bombing of a GO GEORGE bus this past week, George Municipality and the Western Cape Government have resolved to combine resources in offering a financial reward to help bring the perpetrators to book.

George Executive Mayor, Alderman Leon van Wyk, strongly condemned the incident in Pacaltsdorp where a petrol bomb was thrown into a bus carrying passengers. Final figures confirm that 11 passengers have been taken to hospital by ambulance – eight of them have been treated for burn wounds of whom two have been admitted to hospital. The SA Police Service is investigating the incident.

“We are abhorred at the atrocious act and want to see those responsible meet the full brunt of the law,” Van Wyk said. “We need the cooperation of the community to come forward with any information that could lead to the conviction of these persons. We cannot and will not allow this type of action to jeopardise the safety of our residents and the operations of our much needed public bus service.”

People with information regarding the attack should phone the GO GEORGE Call Centre on 0800 044 044. Call Centre agents will notify the designated person(s) to return the call and take down information which will be treated with the utmost confidence. Take note that only information that leads to conviction will be considered for the reward.

Ends.

PERSVERKLARING: BELONING AANGEBIED VIR INLIGTING OOR BUS-BOMGOOIERS

Ná die bomaanval op ‘n GO GEORGE-bus die afgelope week het George-munisipaliteit en die Wes-Kaapse regering besluit om hulpbronne te kombineer om ‘n finansiële beloning aan te bied om die oortreders aan die pen te laat ry.

George se uitvoerende burgemeester, raadsheer Leon van Wyk, het die voorval in Pacaltsdorp waar ‘n petrolbom in ‘n bus met passasiers gegooi is, ten sterkste veroordeel. Finale syfers bevestig dat 11 passasiers per ambulans hospitaal toe geneem is – agt van hulle is vir brandwonde behandel van wie twee opgeneem is in die hospitaal. Die SA Polisiediens ondersoek die voorval.

“Ons verafsku die gruwelike daad en wil sien dat diegene wat verantwoordelik is, met die volle impak van die reg kennis maak,” het Van Wyk gesê. “Ons het die samewerking van die gemeenskap nodig om na vore te kom met enige inligting wat tot die skuldigbevinding van hierdie persone kan lei. Ons kan en sal nie toelaat dat hierdie tipe optrede die veiligheid van ons inwoners en die bedrywighede van ons broodnodige openbare busdiens in gevaar stel nie.”

Mense met inligting oor die aanval moet die GO GEORGE-inbelsentrum by 0800 044 044 skakel. Die agente sal die aangewese persoon in kennis stel om die oproep te beantwoord en inligting af te neem wat met die grootste vertroulikheid hanteer sal word. Let daarop dat slegs inligting wat tot skuldigbevinding lei, vir die beloning oorweeg sal word.

Einde.

George Executive Mayor, Alderman Leon van Wyk, accompanied by James Robb, Acting Public Transport Oversight Official of the Municipality, paid a visit to the two patients still hospitalised after Wednesday’s petrol bomb attack on a GO GEORGE bus in Pacaltsdorp.

During the visit at the George Hospital on Friday afternoon, they also had the opportunity to speak to some family members of the victims, who were most appreciative of the courtesy and interest shown. The Mayor expressed the Municipality’s compassion and the commitment of the GO GEORGE team to stay in constant contact with the families.

“It is apparent that the patients who we visited are still traumatised and suffering from shock following this senseless criminal attack on innocent passengers going about their daily business of using the Go George bus service to commute to work,” he said.

Shortly after the visit, the female patient was transported by air ambulance to a Cape Town hospital to receive treatment at a specialist burn unit.

Call for affected persons to come forward

Robb reiterated the call for persons affected in any way by the incident to phone the GO GEORGE Call Centre on 0800 044 044 and leave their names and contact details.

“The crisis team will make contact with such persons, whether they had been injured, suffered from shock or witnessed the incident, and arrange for counselling where needed,” he said.

Several organisations and individuals have already reached out to offer support. Robb invites organisations or members of the community who would also like to express their solidarity and care in some way, to phone the Call Centre or send an email to info@gogeorge.org.za so that all the kind efforts can be coordinated to make a real difference where needed.

CAPTION:

George Executive Mayor, Alderman Leon van Wyk (left), and James Robb, Acting Public Transport Oversight Official of the Municipality, outside George Hospital after their visit to some of the victims of Wednesday’s petrol bomb attack on a GO GEORGE bus.

PERSVERKLARING: GEORGE-BURGEMEESTER BESOEK BUSBOMSLAGOFFER IN HOSPITAAL

George se uitvoerende burgemeester, raadsheer Leon van Wyk, vergesel van James Robb, die munisipaliteit se waarnemende toesigbeampte oor openbare vervoer, het ‘n besoek gebring aan die twee pasiënte wat steeds in die hospitaal is ná Woensdag se petrolbomaanval op ‘n GO GEORGE-bus in Pacaltsdorp.

Tydens die besoek Vrydagmiddag by die George-hospitaal het hulle ook die geleentheid gehad om met ‘n paar familielede van die slagoffers te praat, wat die hoflikheidsbesoek en belangstelling baie waardeer het. Die burgemeester het die munisipaliteit se meelewing en die toewyding van die GO GEORGE-span om voortdurend in kontak met die families te bly, bevestig.

“Dit is duidelik dat die pasiënte wat ons besoek het, steeds getraumatiseerd is en aan skok ly ná hierdie sinnelose kriminele aanval op onskuldige passasiers wat hul daaglikse roetine volg om die GO GEORGE-busdiens te gebruik om werk toe te ry,” het hy gesê.

Die vroulike pasiënt is kort ná die besoek per lugambulans na ‘n Kaapstadse hospitaal vervoer om behandeling by ‘n spesialisbrandeenheid te ontvang.

Beroep op geraakte persone om na vore te kom

Robb het die oproep herhaal dat persone wat op enige manier deur die voorval geraak is, die GO GEORGE-inbelsentrum by 0800 044 044 moet skakel en hul name en kontakbesonderhede moet laat.

“Die krisisspan sal kontak maak met sulke persone, hetsy hulle beseer is, aan skok ly of die voorval aanskou het, en reël vir berading waar nodig,” het hy gesê.

Verskeie organisasies en individue het reeds uitgereik om ondersteuning aa te bied. Robb nooi organisasies of lede van die gemeenskap wat ook graag hul solidariteit en omgee op een of ander manier wil betoon, om die inbelsentrum te skakel of ‘n e-pos aan info@gogeorge.org.za te stuur sodat al die pogings gekoördineer kan word om ‘n daadwerklike verskil te maak waar nodig.

ONDERSKRIF:

George se uitvoerende burgemeester, raadsheer Leon van Wyk (links), en James Robb, waarnemende toesigbeampte van openbare vervoer van die munisipaliteit, buite die George-hospitaal ná hul besoek aan van die slagoffers van Woensdag se petrolbomaanval op ‘n GO GEORGE-bus.

CALL FOR PERSONS AFFECTED BY BOMBING OF BUS TO COME FORWARD
3 March 2023

GO GEORGE is calling upon persons affected in any way by the petrol bomb attack on a bus in Pacaltsdorp on the 1st of March, to phone the GO GEORGE Call Centre on 0800 044 044 and leave their names and contact details. We would like to contact you, whether you had been injured, suffered from shock or witnessed the incident, and arrange for counselling where needed.

BEROEP OP PERSONE WAT GERAAK IS DEUR DIE BOMAANVAL OP GO GEORGE-BUS OM NA VORE TE KOM
3 Maart 2023

GO GEORGE doen ‘n beroep op persone wat op enige manier geraak is deur die petrolbomaanval op ‘n bus in Pacaltsdorp op 1 Maart, om die GO GEORGE-inbelsentrum by 0800 044 044 te skakel en hul name en kontakbesonderhede te laat. Ons wil u kontak, of u beseer is, aan skok ly of die voorval gesien gebeur het, en reël vir berading waar nodig.

Our current biggest challenge continues to be the supply of electricity. As I write this week’s newsletter we have stumbled back to Stage 4 after enduring the crippling effects of Stage 6’s four-hour stints of load-shedding that is crippling the economy.

At Stage 6, Municipality has a daily cost of R250 000 for diesel to operate generators for the water and waste-water treatment works, key pump stations and other critical infrastructure. This translates to R7,5m per month at that level of load-shedding. Industrialists have lamented about their diesel costs compared to that of electricity.

During the Council’s approval of our Adjustment Budget to see us through to June 2023, I mentioned that over the period from July 2022 to January 2023, we did not have power for 15% of the total daily hours. In December and January, it was 24%. We have budgeted that R101m of our budgeted Electricity revenue will not materialise. The costs do not stop there as we have the diesel costs and additional overtime that is needed to deal with the ongoing preventative maintenance of infrastructure that is being harmed by load-shedding. Under cover of darkness, cable theft and equipment vandalism also occur.

The effect is such a nature that it is simply impossible to reduce costs sufficiently to neutralise the loss of revenue. The effects of the Ukraine war have also led to substantial increases in the price of chemicals required for water purification. The expected shortfall totals R161m, which will undoubtedly impact cash reserves. This means that budget planning for 2023/24 will require a review of all expenditures and revenue. It is worth noting that in the financial year to June 2023, the Municipality’s total expenditure will be close to R3900m (with capital expenditure exceeding now R800m), the equivalent of R75m per week.

Residents will have noted changes to our normally efficient switch-ons following load-shedding. We have a notifiable demand agreement of 85MVA with Eskom, being the electricity that they must provide for George at any given moment in a year. On returning from load-shedding, usage spikes rise to 105-112MVA as geysers, freezers and other high-use equipment switch on. We have been informed that any spike above 85MVA will result in increased charges for electricity due to a higher notifiable demand being triggered. We now need to switch on sections of George in turn, over 30 minutes or longer to manage total usage within the limit. All our consumers should therefore assist by turning off equipment and waiting to switch it on again only after the power is restored.

Big electricity users wishing to discuss their electricity challenges with our team are welcome to email: supportbusiness@george.gov.za

Ald Leon van Wyk

Executive Mayor of George

GO GEORGE is confirming an incident of a petrol bomb thrown into a bus in Protea Road, Pacaltsdorp early this morning. According to early reports, 14 passengers have been taken to hospital by ambulance – five of them have been treated for burn wounds and nine for shock. The SA Police Service is investigating the incident.

GO GEORGE Manager Morné Lakay says the GIPTN regrets the incident and will assist the police with information and CCTV footage to bring the perpetrators to book.

The bus service in the area and all other routes remain fully operational.

Issued by George Municipality  28 February 2023

George Municipality has since 23 November 2022 started improving access to homes with steep slopes in Rosedale, Thembalethu and Touwsranten. Further measures to bring relief to several homes which continuously flood in times of heavy downpour include building channels to re-route run off, as well as installing gutters and down pipes to minimise access rainwater into the yards. A total of 64 houses were identified with stormwater problems in the areas mentioned above and to date 23 houses have been completed. A tender for the installation of retaining walls is still in the procurement process.

Captions: Construction in progress improving access to homes with steep slopes in Rosedale, Thembalethu and Touwsranten. Workers are building channels to re-rout run off, installing gutters and down pipes and buffers to bring relief especially during heavy downpours.

A well-attended Events Compliance and Support Workshop was hosted by the George Municipality’s Tourism Department in collaboration with the various municipal departments responsible to assist all event organisers wanting to host events in George. The workshop took place on the 24th of February 2023 at the Conference Room of the George Civic Centre.

Event organisers representing sports clubs, schools, event companies, and NGO’s attended the workshop and were able to communicate relevant challenges and gave valuable contributions. Various municipal departments presented information on topics ranging from the critical aspects of population certificate applications, bookings regarding municipal sports facilities, use of open spaces, regulations regarding private land-use rights for event venues, outdoor advertising, and event marketing.

The guest speakers were from various municipal sections designated to assist with applications and event support such as Tourism (posters and banners, event funding assistance, event promotion), Emergency Services (population certificate application), Environmental (cleansing, noise control applications, open space permission applications), Sports and Corporate Sections (sports facilities and hall bookings), Building Control (outdoor advertising compliance and structural compliance), Legal Services (legal contracts), Traffic (road closures), Law Enforcement (public procession applications), Town Planning (land-use rights), and Electrotechnical Services (electrical connections and energy availability).

During the workshop, participants received information regarding the annual George Municipality Event Support Application Program which offers financial and non-financial backing to events taking place in the municipal area.

For more information on event compliance, as well as possible repeat workshops, you are welcome to contact Melanie Martins at the George Tourism Office or send an e-mail to events@visitgeorge.co.za

Ends

The Executive Mayor of George Municipality, Alderman Leon van Wyk will be visiting farmers in the Uniondale and Haarlem area on 9 March 2023. Agriculture is one of the key driving sectors and contributors to the local economy within George Municipality.

According to Dr Kosie Haarhoff, the Deputy Director: Strategic Growth and Development in the George Municipality, the purpose of the visit is to primarily engage with small commercial farmers within the Uniondale/Haarlem area and to discuss services offered by the Municipality, the Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDA), the National Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (NDARDLR) and other government departments. Most farmers in the Haarlem area are smallholder farmers who either farm individually or in a cooperative and they need support and resources to sustain their businesses.

“The Mayor will meet with the Uniondale Agricultural Union in the morning and visit farms in the Uniondale and Haarlem areas in the afternoon. Part of the visit is to evaluate progress made on projects supported by WCDA as per its strategic objectives and to interact with farmers on issues such as infrastructure, electricity, water, storage facilities and security,” Dr Haarhoff added.

“The Mayor would furthermore assess the impact of financial and non-financial support given to farmers by the Municipality, WCDA, and NDARDLR and how the support contributes towards job creation and the alleviation of poverty in the region. Finally, the visit will also seek to enhance cooperation and coordination between all spheres of government in developing and capacitating farmers in the district,” he said.

The delegation will consist of the Executive Mayor van Wyk, Cllr Dirk Wessels ( Portfolio Chair for Finance and Economic Development), Dr Kosie Haarhoff ( George Municipality), Mr Willem Burger ( WCDA) and Mr Phillip Hendricks ( NDARDLR).

GO GEORGE has announced that the bus service to Thembalethu will be activated in three stages with the first wheels rolling down Nelson Mandela Boulevard soon. The other two stages will follow soon thereafter.
The George Council accepted that it had not been possible to make the initial November deadline, but resolved that service should roll out as soon as possible with a further announcement to be made at least one week before the activation of the routes. The current preparations are all seen as part of rolling out the service.

Three stages of roll-out
Stage 1:
Route 11 Thembalethu – GR Mall
Route 18A Thembalethu – Blanco
Route 18B Fourways – Blanco
Route 57A Jonga Community
Route 57B Ramaphosa Community
Route 57C Tabata Community

Stage 2:
Route 10 Thembalethu – George Industria
Route 57D Fourways Community

Stage 3:
Route 4A Thembalethu – CBD
Route 4A Express Thembalethu – CBD
Route 4B Fourways – CBD
Route 57E Ngcakani Community
Route 62A Jonga – Hospital
Route 62B Ramaphosa – Hospital
Route 62C Tabata – Hospital

Information about the Thembalethu service
The first phase of the Thembalethu roll-out information campaign focused on visits to businesses in town employing Thembalethu residents, followed by a three-week campaign at the Thembalethu clinic and library, and engagement with staff at schools and educational institutions. To date, these activities resulted in one-on-one engagement with 7 748 individuals.

On 7 February, the communication champions started with door-to-door engagement with residents at their homes, which to date, has covered 1 972 homes and approximately 7 888 household members. Information sheets containing route maps of the phased-in roll-out are being handed out and explained to prospective passengers. The unanimous response to the news that the buses are definitely still coming is that of excitement, relief, and gratitude.

All-over readiness
Infrastructure such as bus stops, temporary shelters and operational facilities are on schedule and mostly completed. Residents should soon see buses driving through the area testing schedules and routes.
Anyone who would like to request an informational visit to their staff or organisation can call the GO GEORGE Call Centre on 0800 044 044 from 05:00 until 20:00, seven days a week.

CAPTIONS:
Themba clinic:

These women visiting the Thembalethu Clinic were excited to learn more about the upcoming bus service to Thembalethu. From left, Phumzile Bonga, Siphokazi Goliath, communication champion Akhona Gxumisa, and Inna Adam. The name of the woman on the right is not known.

Tyron door to door:

Thembalethu residents are welcoming the GO GEORGE communication champions to their homes. Here Tyron Jeyi, GO GEORGE community liaison officer, explains to a lady what to expect from the bus service.

Door-to-door cleaning can wait:

Cleaning can wait! Vuyelwa Myali is listening attentively to communication champion Nomnikelo Bolitye explaining how she can use the bus service.

Engagement in Blanco:

From restaurants, gymnasiums and factories to nurseries and petrol stations – all over George, staff residing in Thembalethu are taking a moment to listen to what they can expect when the bus service rolls out to their area. Here, Tyron Jeyi, GO GEORGE community liaison officer, chats to workers at a garage in Blanco.

AFRIKAANS OP VOLGENDE BLADSY

PERSVERKLARING: Thembalethu-busdiens ingefaseer
Uitgereik: 24 Feb 2023

GO GEORGE het aangekondig dat die busdiens na Thembalethu in drie fases geaktiveer sal word met die eerste wiele wat binnekort in Nelson Mandela Boulevard af sal rol. Die ander twee fases sal kort daarna volg.
Die George-raad het aanvaar dat dit nie moontlik was om die aanvanklike sperdatum in November te haal nie, maar het besluit dat die diens so gou moontlik moet uitrol met ‘n verdere aankondiging wat minstens een week voor die aktivering van die roetes gemaak moet word. Die huidige voorbereidings word alles gesien as deel van die uitrol van die diens.

Drie fases van uitrol
Fase 1:
Roete 11 Thembalethu – GR Mall
Roete 18A Thembalethu – Blanco
Roete 18B Fourways – Blanco
Roete 57A Jonga Community
Roete 57B Ramaphosa Community
Roete 57C Tabata Community

Fase 2:
Roete 10 Thembalethu – George Industria
Roete 57D Fourways Community

Fase 3:
Roete 4A Thembalethu – CBD
Roete 4A Express Thembalethu – CBD
Roete 4B Fourways – CBD
Roete 57E Ngcakani Community
Roete 62A Jonga – Hospitaal
Roete 62B Ramaphosa – Hospitaal
Roete 62C Tabata – Hospitaal

Inligting oor die Thembalethu-diens
Die eerste fase van die Thembalethu-inligtingsveldtog het gefokus op besoeke aan besighede in die dorp wat inwoners van Thembalethu in diens het, gevolg deur ‘n drie-weke lange veldtog by die Thembalethu-kliniek en -biblioteek, en skakeling met personeel by skole en opvoedkundige instellings. Tot op hede het hierdie aktiwiteite gelei tot een-tot-een skakeling met 7 748 individue.

Op 7 Februarie het die passasiersdiensbeamptes (champions) begin met deur-tot-deur skakeling met inwoners by hul huise, wat tot op hede 1 972 huise en ongeveer 7 888 lede van huishoudings gedek het. Inligtingsblaaie wat roetekaarte van die ingefaseerde uitrol bevat, word uitgedeel en aan voornemende passasiers verduidelik. Die eenparige reaksie op die nuus dat die busse beslis nog kom, is dié van opgewondenheid, verligting en dankbaarheid.
Algehele gereedheid

Infrastruktuur soos bushaltes, tydelike skuilings en operasionele fasiliteite is op skedule en is meestal voltooi. Inwoners behoort binnekort busse deur die gebied te sien ry vir die toetsing van skedules en roetes.
Enigiemand wat ‘n inligtingsbesoek aan hul personeel of organisasie wil versoek, kan die GO GEORGE-inbelsentrum skakel by 0800 044 044 van 05:00 tot 20:00, sewe dae per week.

ONDERSKRIFTE:
Themba clinic:

Hierdie vroue wat die Thembalethu-kliniek besoek het, was opgewonde om meer te wete te kom oor die komende busdiens na Thembalethu. Van links, Phumzile Bonga, Siphokazi Goliath, passasiersdiensbeampte Akhona Gxumisa, en Inna Adam. Die naam van die vrou aan die regterkant is nie bekend nie.

Tyron door to door:

Thembalethu-inwoners verwelkom die GO GEORGE- passasiersdiensbeamptes in hul huise. Hier verduidelik Tyron Jeyi, GO GEORGE-gemeenskapskakelbeampte, aan ‘n dame wat om van die busdiens te verwag.

Door-to-door cleaning can wait:

Skoonmaak kan wag! Vuyelwa Myali luister aandagtig na die passasiersdiensbeampte, Nomnikelo Bolitye, wat verduidelik hoe sy die busdiens kan gebruik.

Engagement in Blanco:

Van restaurante, gimnasiums en fabrieke tot kwekerye en vulstasies – regoor George neem personeel wat in Thembalethu woon ‘n oomblik om te luister na wat hulle kan verwag wanneer die busdiens na hul area uitrol. Hier gesels Tyron Jeyi, GO GEORGE-gemeenskapskakelbeampte, met werkers by ‘n motorhawe in Blanco.

Last week, the George Municipality heeded the call of Garden Route District Municipality to support the district municipality’s Anti-Illegal dumping campaign that was initiated by its environmental health practitioners together with various stakeholders to educate communities on the health effects of illegal dumping. The five-day campaign spanned from 13 to 17 February 2023.

In addition to a string of communication events and activities to amplify the message of combating illegal dumping, the Executive Mayor of George, Alderman Leon van Wyk released a message through a video to persuade the citizens of George to rally behind the fight against illegal dumping.

“The George Municipality supports the Garden Route District Municipality’s campaign against illegal dumping for the week of 13 – 17 February 2023. Our Community Services Department runs an ongoing campaign against illegal dumping where different teams clean open spaces in parts of George,” said Mayor van Wyk.

“Illegal dumping is anything you throw away in a place where it does not belong. If you throw your junk just anywhere, it will eventually become your problem in some way or another. Throwing stuff into sewerage drains, or flushing the wrong stuff down the toilet, will clog pipes and the sewerage will overflow into your neighbourhood.”

Mayor van Wyk encouraged the citizen of George to act responsibly and make use of the available resources to avoid illegal dumping. “Refuse is picked up in your neighbourhood once a week. Please put your waste inside refuse bags and keep them at your house until collection day.”

Meanwhile, the George Municipality’s Communication and Intergovernmental Relations division ran an awareness campaign using the Municipality’s communication platforms which consist of thousands of subscribers and followers. Messaging about illegal dumping was circulated on the Municipal Facebook page, Twitter, WhatsApp, App and website, to the local media on a daily basis during the campaign.

A radio talk was also broadcast on local radio stations to sensitise the public about the dangers of illegal dumping as well as the environmental repercussions if people do not stop illegal dumping. A feature on illegal dumping was also published in the George Herald, a local newspaper.

Let us all work together and stop illegal dumping, report illegal dumping to 044 801 6350.

Videos of Mayor Leon van Wyk on illegal dumping: English: https://youtu.be/KsEkZnp2Cm4 Afrikaans: https://youtu.be/hdqUtE5xwBs

Ends.

The Executive Mayor of George wishes the Eight (8) rugby teams from George and Uniondale that will, this coming weekend participate in the Kick-Off Rugby Tournament, a pre-season tournament hosted in conjunction with Maories Rugby Football Club. The tournament will take place at Outeniqua Park, George this coming Saturday, 25 February 2023.

The George Municipality, according to the Portfolio Councillor for Financial and Strategic Services, Dirk Wessels, the Municipality supports this tournament that consists of emerging rugby football clubs as part of sport development in the George Municipal precincts. “The Executive Mayor has financially steered funds to this tournament to help boost the smaller clubs. We also urge the public to come in numbers and support this tournament,” Cllr Wessels said.

“I wish all the teams participating in the Kick-off Tournament that consists of clubs from George and surrounds the best of luck for this weekend’s games,” said the Executive Mayor of George, Ald Leon van Wyk. “This is a very important pre-season opportunity to raise some funds for these clubs and a good start getting ready for the upcoming season,” Mayor van Wyk added.

Councillor Brendon Adams, portfolio Councillor for Community Services, Social Development, Libraries and Sport echoed the Mayor’s message of aiding the local clubs. “The Municipality is assisting these small teams as they do not have financial support; we are intending to give another round of support to these clubs towards the end of the rugby season in November this year,” Cllr. Adams said.

The following Eight rugby teams will participate in the tournament: Maories RFC, Uniondale, Superstars, Silverstars, Blanco, Pro Stars, Black Lions and United Stars. The prizes are as follows:

1st place: R 6000
2nd R 5000
3rd R 4500
4th R 4000
5th R 3500
6th R 3000
7th R 2500
8th R 2000

The first game starts at 08:00 and the last game of the day will start at 17:00. The entry fee is R 20 for adults and R 10 for children.

Good news for library users – A FINE FREE amnesty period for library users has started!

Issued by George Municipality 20 February 2023 for immediate release

George Municipality is happy to announce that all library patrons in our area can now return library books without paying fines during an amnesty period. According to Rachel Williams: Manager: George Libraries, a fine-free amnesty period for public library patrons will be applicable until the Sita Library and Information Management System (SLIMS) is up and running again. Patrons are strongly encouraged to take full advantage of this period to return all overdue books to our libraries.

The SLIMS system managed by SITA has been unavailable to all non-metro libraries across the Western Cape since 15 November 2022. Because of a storage failure, the whole Virtual Machine Operating System collapsed. This system failure had a huge and ongoing impact on the service delivery to all public library users in the Western Cape. Williams said, the recovery period is unknown yet and could take up to 6 months. Please be advised that library services are a function of the WC Provincial Government and therefore, the George Municipality is not able to resolve the current problem.

It should be noted that all public libraries in George and surrounding areas remain open and continue to serve the public. All public libraries make use of the standardised form created to capture issues and returns. The number of books issued per patron is limited until SLIMS is back online. The Impala system cannot be used for the purpose of Inter-Library Loans while SLIMS is unavailable.

New library memberships are accepted at all public libraries and are added to the OverDrive e-book system. All public libraries remain open to the public for in-house use and recreational activities, literacy, outreach, and other programmes as it is not dependent on SLIMS availability.  Williams thanked all patrons for their patience and support and would like to assure them of their willingness to be of service to them.

For more information, please phone the libraries at:
Blanco 044 870 7047, Conville 044 801 9320 / 3240 / 3241, George 044 801 9288 / 9289 / 9292 / 9393, Haarlem 044 763 1023 / 078 0863 667, Pacaltsdorp 044 803 9340, Thembalethu 044 803 2260, Touwsranten 044 803 9285 and Uniondale 044 7521 024.