last-news

The new 66/11 kV 40 MVA electrical substation which is currently under construction in Thembalethu, will not only improve reliability and provide adequate capacity of electrical supply to the area but is also one of the largest of its kind in the Southern Cape and a major bulk infrastructure milestone for the city. The new substation will alleviate load on the substations that are currently supplying Thembalethu and serves as an important catalyst for investment funding from both the state and business.

“George Municipality is a key growth area for many investors, but it requires certain very expensive bulk infrastructure to support the growth. The allocation of supportive funding from the national Department of Mineral Resources and Energy to build this substation signals trust in the local authority to facilitate growth and service delivery. In turn, the municipality can provide the kind of infrastructure required for outside manufacturers and business to invest and for housing supportive facilities to be developed across the municipal area,” said Executive Mayor Leon Van Wyk.

Adequate capacity will be provided
Municipality Director for Electrotechnical Services, Bongani Mandla said when completed, the substation will provide power to Thembalethu and other suburbs east of the N2 that are currently supplied from substations across the highway. The overall impact on the city’s grid will be adequate capacity for a growing city and more reliable supply to especially the eastern areas,” said Mr Mandla.

Construction Update
Construction on the Thembalethu 66kV substation will run across three financial years. The first phase, costing about R30-million, is funded two thirds by the municipality and the rest by the Integrated National Electrification Programme grant (INEP) of the national Department of Mineral Resources and Energy. The entire project is costed at an estimated R58 million.

The construction is well underway with the civil engineering works to construct an engineered platform for the new substation. The construction of the platform, roadworks, oil dam, concrete plinths, installation of the watermains, sewer lines, the erection of the security fence and electrical infrastructure, that form part of the platform, are due for completion by the end of October 2022. The electrical design and procurement of material as per the final design for the electrical works has progressed well and this includes the steel supports, switchgear, earth mat, electrical protection and ripple control.

The substation’s construction consists mostly of the manufacturing, supply and installation of 11 kV and 66 kV equipment, two new 66/11 kV 20MVA power transformers and ancillary protection and control equipment and will commence early in 2023.

Background:
The planning for the substation goes as far back as 20 years ago, when the Ballots Bay 11 kV substation in the southern part of Thembalethu was established. This 11 kV substation project at the time also made provision for a 66 kV substation. The electrical masterplans for George indicated that a 66 kV substation would be needed in the future. An Environmental Impact Study (EIA) was finalized in 2008 to gain approval for the 66 kV powerline routes to the various proposed substations in George which included the powerlines to Thembalethu.

In 2011, the new 132 kV Schaapkop substation was established to provide sufficient capacity after the existing ESKOM bulk supply had reached capacity in George. The bulk municipal electrical supply to Thembalethu also reached capacity and had to be increased to enable the electrification program to continue. Funds were provided for the first phase of the establishment of the municipal 66 kV substation and the 66 kV power line from SS Protea in Pacaltsdorp to Thembalethu was built in 2014/15. This power line is energized at 11 kV to supplement the capacity and will be energized at 66 kV to supply the new 66 kV substation once it is completed.

During a UISP* (Upgrading of Informal Settlements Programme ) community presentation in Thembalethu on July 2014, the public was updated about an analysis completed to determine the impact of the additional electrical load on the existing Thembalethu electrical network as a result of the electrification projects that had been completed. At this stage the first section of the 66 kV power line between Protea substation and Thembalethu’s 66/11 kV substation would have to be established and operated on 11 kV before any further electrification can take place. Further urgent upgrades included the establishment of the municipal 66/11 kV substation.

The electrification of the formalised, as well as informal areas in Thembalethu, cannot continue without the upgrading of the bulk services in Thembalethu. The establishment of the substation is a key project in this regard. Subsequently, the 66 kV power line section between Thembalethu and the Glenwood Substation in Knysna Road has also been completed to place the new Thembalethu 66 kV substation on a ring feed.

Ends.

Photograph for illustrative purposes only.

Please watch the Director for Electrotechnical Services, Bongani Mandla https://youtu.be/3Z75D-RbhG8
Please watch the Portfolio Cllr for Electrotechnical Services, Nosicelo Mbete https://youtube.com/shorts/kdpI0-pNbwg?feature=share

TRAFFIC LIGHTS AT 40 MAJOR ROADS INTERSECTIONS ARE NOW POWERED DURING TIMES OF POWER OUTAGES

https://youtube.com/shorts/F5Bu39TIAs0?feature=share Portfolio Cllr for Electrotechnical Services, Nosicelo Mbete

Forty (40) major road intersections in George are free from Eskom’s load shedding, planned and unplanned power outages and the traffic flow continues seamlessly. Thanks to the installation of the Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) units that energising the traffic lights during outages.

The Electro-Technical Services team has successfully completed phase 1 of the UPS installation project. The installed UPS which amounted to R2.5 million, makes use of batteries that are charged via our electrical supply. The UPS which is eco-friendly and energy saving, automatically kicks in and operates the traffic lights should the electrical supply be interrupted for any reason with an average duration of 4 hours, before the battery needs recharging.

“This is certainly a game changer at the major traffic intersections in George during peak hour loadshedding. The UPS housing is IP65 rated which allows it to be water and dust proof,” said the Executive Mayor Ald Leon van Wyk. “The measure is one of several sustainable energy solutions the municipality is introducing to reduce the impacts associated with loadshedding, including traffic congestion and human resources such as traffic pointsmen.”

The Director for Electro-Technical Services, Mr Bongani Mandla commended the relatively small traffic lights team, who with a specialised skills set and commitment to service delivery address ongoing faults and maintenance at all traffic light intersections in the George area.

More UPS are to be installed in the remining traffic lights in the coming in the 2022-2023 financial year.

In the photograph the Mayor is seen with from left Gerrit Carolus, Superintendent Streetlights; and to his right is Thomas Scheepers, Specialised Electrician Streetlights and Edward Nqumse, Action Senior Manager Services.

The Council meeting held on 30 June 2022 brought to a conclusion a half-year during which Council approved a vast number of Policies and Strategies. That meeting involved 52 items covering almost 2500 pages.

At the outset I would like to congratulate and thank the management team led by Dr Gratz, each of the Directors, senior staff members and the rest of the team who researched and prepared each of these documents. As citizens we owe an enormous gratitude to this team for their dedication and determination to turn George around and to ensure that policies, by-laws and strategies have been updated to a benchmark standard.

A new set of staffing regulations for municipal employees has been introduced in legislation to take effect from 1 July. This meant a multitude of staffing policies had to be prepared and approved. We approved the land use items for three new water reservoirs to be constructed in Pacaltsdorp and Thembalethu. At Electro-tech, the renewable energy strategy, electricity master plan for the 66KV network and an approach for the electrification of informal areas was approved.

At Panning and Housing, a review report for the zoning scheme received attention, along with the policy on telecommunication infrastructure, problem premises, outdoor advertising, street naming, priority housing development areas, sustainable human settlements, emergency accommodation and the unlawful land occupation bylaw. Other items included the regional waste management facility, information technology, the appointment of a water leaks team, revised rules of order and delegation of powers.

Our management team has worked long hours at night and over weekends to complete these reports. Over the past few months as batches of these policies are completed, they have been dealt with by Council to ensure that progress takes place.

The Council meeting had to be managed for completion within the painful constraints of loadshedding. Residents will no doubt have noticed that many of our traffic lights are operating during loadshedding following a program to implement uninterrupted power supply systems at 40 intersections.

Over the past few weeks we have engaged at senior management level with a major optic fibre provider in an effort to improve communication regarding the timing of technical upgrades to that network. We have also met with significant property developers to identify their expectations. In early June, during a First Thursday engagement we suggested that a property development forum chapter be established in George. We are very proud that these stakeholders effected its establishment before the end of June.

Lastly, the South African Local Government Association has released a pilot perceptions surveys ranking the 19 intermediate cities. George is ranked as the best performing well ahead of Stellenbosch and Drakenstein, the next placed cities.

At the construction site for the 20ML/d extension to the New Water Treatment Works (New WTW) are, from left: Henry Hill (Portfolio Cllr Planning and Development), Jannie Koegelenberg (Engineer, Royal Haskoning DHV), Gerard de Swardt (Project Manager: George Civil Engineering Services), Jackie von Brandis (Portfolio Cllr Civil Engineering Services: Capital Projects & BFI), Ald Leon Van Wyk and Jonathan Bernon (Construction Manager, Icon Construction).

https://youtu.be/FqbZHn9VO30
Portfolio Councillor for Civil Engineering Services: Capital Projects and BFI, Jacqulique Von Brandis s, highlighted that water is crucial for drinking and sanitation as it sustains the health of residents, food production and healthy ecosystems.

George Municipality is the first non-metro municipality to ever receive the Budget Facility for Infrastructure Funding (BFI) grant to the value of R1.197 billion from National Treasury, effectively taking the Capital Budget over the next three years to the largest it has ever been in the history of George. The funding will be provided over the next forty (40) months for implementing the various components of the Potable Water Security and Remedial Works projects.

What is Budget Facility for Infrastructure Funding (BFI)?
The BFI funding is allocated through the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant, which is managed by the Department of Water and Sanitation.

It is well-known that there is widespread concern about the state of water and waste-water infrastructure in South Africa and that significant amounts of funding will be required to rehabilitate this infrastructure within municipalities.

George Municipality is no exception and provides water services to over 212 120 people from 62 722 households (STATSSA 2017) across 28 wards including the coastal areas of Kleinkrantz, Wilderness, Victoria Bay, Herolds Bay and Gwaing, as well as the rural areas of Herold, Waboomskraal, Uniondale and Haarlem.

Portfolio Councillor for Civil Engineering: Capital Projects and BFI, Jackie Von Brandis highlighted that water is crucial for drinking and sanitation as it sustains the health of residents, food production and a healthy ecosystems.

“With this in mind and with the continued emphasis on water security, George needs to become a water smart city. This is done through a visionary approach from Council and the administration to integrate sustainable urban planning and water management. The allocation of the BFI grant and proper budget management will make George, the city for a sustainable future,” said Cllr Von Brandis.

Skilled and innovative planning officials
The George management team recognised that the capital expenditure required to upgrade the George bulk water infrastructure to provide for the current and future developments, is significant, placing an enormous strain on the municipality’s financial resources. The initiative was taken to approach National Treasury to search for a solution.

Executive Mayor Leon Van Wyk lauded the team of senior management and officials who put the funding application together, having only one month until the closing date for applications, and working around the clock to ensure a credible and compliant submission.

“The approval and feedback from the Department of Water and Sanitation following the application meeting, is a testament to the skilled and innovative Civil Engineering Services planning staff we have in George. The Council of George can rightly be proud of the team of senior management and officials who put together this funding application at short notice “said Executive Mayor Leon Van Wyk.

Impact on citizens of George
Municipal Manager Dr Michele Gratz said that the impact of this funding will be immense for George and the 212 120 residents we service. Investing in water services will increase the revenue of the municipality and allow further development that increases the rates base of the municipality, allowing for investment and increasing job creation.

“This is a major milestone project for the sustainability of our city that will stimulate housing and economic development that had to be halted in recent years as bulk water and sanitation infrastructure had reached maximum capacity. The project will also eradicate the current discharge of sludge from the Water Treatment Works into the sewer system, and that has had a negative impact on downstream sewer pumpstations. Water security is required to improve the quality and amount of investment to support growth and job creation, “said Executive Mayor Leon Van Wyk.

The objectives of the project are to ensure the ability to provide adequate potable water for the current population and for future developments, to provide water security of water supply, to support social and economic development and to reduce water pollution.

What are the Potable Water Security and Remedial Works components funded by BFI?The project consists of 12 components, some of which will be executed in more than one construction phase.

Component 1 and 3
The refurbishment of the existing Sludge Discharge System, Phases 1 and 2, will take place at the Eden, Meul and Schaapkop sewer pumpstations and will include a new sludge treatment facility at the Water Treatment Works, a 300m 315mm diameter sludge pipeline, an upgrade to the new Water Treatment Works pumpstation and a new 12.4km 1000mm diameter pump line.

Status:  Work is almost completed on the Schaapkop Donga Stabilisation. Construction took place to stabilise and rehabilitate the slope on the riverbank to protect the pump station from an encroaching donga that was exacerbated by the November 2021 floods, and create a safe working space for the pump station contractor. The first phase of the upgrading and refurbishment of the Meul sewer pumpstation has commenced. This contract includes a new Motor Control Centre at the Eden sewer pump station.

Component 2
The 20 Ml/d extension to the New Water Treatment Works (New WTW).

Status: The first contract, the civil engineering component has commenced.  The tender for the mechanical, electrical and instrumentation (MEI) works has closed and is in the evaluation phase. This is the largest single component of the BFI project and is valued at approximately R500 million.

 Earthworks are almost completed, with the major excavation for the WTW extension consisting of some 20 000 metric cubes of earth material to be stockpiled on site for re-use elsewhere on other components of the BFI project as well as other possible municipal projects. Placing of concrete will commence shortly and for this purpose two tower cranes of 23m height will be installed on site.

Component 4
The Upgrading of Garden Route Dam Outlet and Supply includes the replacement of the existing 600 mm diameter raw water pipeline from the intake tower at the Garden Route Dam to the raw water pumpstation, with a new 800 mm diameter stainless steel pipeline to accommodate a higher  flowrate.

Status: The preliminary design has been completed, to be followed shortly by the final design, and thereafter the procurement process to appoint a contractor.

Component 5
2 x 1100 kVA generators will be installed at the Garden Route Dam raw water pumpstation. This will mean that during loadshedding or any other power outage, raw water can continue to be pumped to the Water Treatment Works for processing for drinking water supply.

Status: The tender has closed and is in the process of being evaluated.

Component 6
A new additional 30 mega litre raw water storage balancing dam will be constructed, together with a 3.4km long 600mm diameter raw water pipeline will be installed to secure sufficient raw water storage for supply to the New Water treatment plant (11^th Avenue, Denneoord). The new raw water dam will supplement the existing storage dams for provision of raw water to the two treatment plants.

Status: The design process is progressing well with consideration of two alternative positions in order to select the most cost-effective solution.  Thereafter final designs and procurement of a Contractor will commence.

Component 7
The rehabilitation of the Old Water Treatment Works, located at 9^th Avenue in Denneoord will allow for the refurbishment of the works, with a design capacity of 25 Ml/day but currently only operating at 18Ml/day, to approximately 24Ml/day.

Status: Construction has commenced on the Upgrade of the Old Water Treatment Works to increase the treatment capacity, and further contracts have been awarded for the supply of filter sand, installing of new fencing to improve security, and a Chlorine off-gas handling facility to improve health and safety.

Component 8
Refurbishment of the Kaaimans River Pumpstation equipment will include the replacement of 2 x 100l/s pump sets, 2 x 50 to 100 l/s VSD pump sets, and 2 x 0 to 25 l/s VSD pump sets, with appropriate new pump sets, and includes the replacement of electrical control equipment. The Kaaimans Pumpstation discharges into the Garden Route Dam and can supply approximately 25% of the raw water requirement during periods of good rainfall.

Status: The preliminary design report has been completed and an alternative is being considered with more appropriate and durable pumps e that are more resistant to the abrasion caused by suspended material in the raw river water.

Component 9 and 10
The new 14,5 Ml Pacaltsdorp West Reservoir; New 3 Ml Pacaltsdorp East Reservoir, 300 kl Tower and pumpstation will address the inadequate emergency and balancing storage in this suburb.

Status: The conceptual design and proposed site layout design is nearing completion, to be followed by the detailed design. This will be done in parallel with the process to ensure compliance with all environmental requirements and the land re-zoning processes.

Component 11 and 12
A new pumpstation and control valves will be provided at the existing Thembalethu West reservoir and tower; a new 8 Ml Thembalethu East Reservoir, 900 kl tower and pumpstation will provide adequate potable water storage, and increase security of potable water supply to Thembalethu as well as provide capacity  to meet future development.

Status: The conceptual planning, system functionality and component sizing have been completed and designs can now commence.

Earthworks are almost completed, with the major excavation for the Water Treatment Works extension consisting of some 20 000 metric cubes of earth material to be stockpiled on site for re-use elsewhere on other components of the BFI project, as well as other possible municipal projects.

At the Schaapkop Pump Station, the slope on the river bank is being stabilised and rehabilitated. 

https://youtu.be/7WFwHiKwIW8

Portfolio Councillor for Community Services: Parks, Recreation and Environment Jean Safers provides an update on the construction of the Composting facility.

George Municipality started with the establishment of a compost facility in the 2019/2020 financial year. In June 2021, the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries promulgated Norms and Standards for the Treatment of Organic Waste. In terms of these norms, compost facilities must meet certain standards, and one of them is that the final platform layer works must contain a concrete platform or include a clay layer within its layer structure.

Portfolio Councillor for Community Services: Parks, Refuse and Environment, Jean Safers confirmed that this construction is in line with the norms and standards for the Treatment of Organic Waste. Builder’s rubble is used to fill the ground to the desired level whereafter a layer of clay is laid on top, and the working surface will consist of a wearing course material classified as G5, according to Committee of Land Transport Officials (COLTO) specifications. The idea is that the green bags that are collected from residents every week will go into a source which will make up compost. Eventually garden refuse, kitchen waste and sludge from the sewerage works will be added to create the compost. This is all to reduce the amount of refuse going into landfill sites in the municipal area.

Work is already underway to expand the size of the platform for future use. Phase 1 of platform A of the composting will be completed in the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 financial years. Phase 2 of platform A is also underway, and the public is requested to divert and dispose of builders’ rubble at the Gwaing waste disposal facility to assist the municipality in finalising phase 2 of platform A. An attenuation pond will be constructed in the 2022/2023 financial year to treat and store stormwater runoff. Platform A will only be able to accommodate 76% of the George Municipality’s green waste. However, once platform B is built, all green waste will be accommodated. The maximum number of windrows that platform A can accommodate is 13. This equals a maximum volume of 2 486 m3. The average volume of compost produced for 6 weeks is 243 m3.

The municipality urges the public to dispose of all builders’ rubble at the Gwaing landfill site instead of dumping illegally, as the material is required to complete the construction of the compost facility. We also urge the community to use the three-bag system (black, blue and green) to the benefit of reducing the landfill footprint. All three bags must be placed out on the same day on the designated refuse collection day. The municipality intends to operate the compost facility from 01 July 2023.

In the photo from left are Wouter van Niekerk (WJ Civils), Wessel Robertson (Head: Cleansing Services), Sivuyile Mtila (Senior Manager: Environmental Services), Ald. Leon van Wyk (Executive Mayor of George), Portfolio Councillor Jean Safers (Community Services: Parks Refuse & Environmental), Charles Lubbe (Project Manager: Solid Waste), and Portfolio Councillor Henry Hill (Planning & Development)

Load shedding occurs often in South Africa. Other countries in the northern parts of Africa and the Middle East, also experience power outages on an average of 23.5 times a month which lasts on average 9.4 hours at a time. South-East Asia is hit with an average of 17 power outages a month, lasting over an hour each time.

These outages have a direct impact on food safety. Three (3) factors are at play here – the length of the outage, its frequency of it and where food is stored.

𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀: 𝗔𝘀 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗱, 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲.

Food in a refrigerator may be safe as long as:

– Power outages do not last longer than four hours

– the fridge door is closed

– the temperature of the refrigerator was at 4 °C when load shedding started.

Learn more by browsing here: http://www.gardenroute.gov.za/2022/06/30/30-june-2022-media-release-food-safety-during-load-shedding/

R148 million rand will be spent on major road upgrades in 2022/23 financial year with another R350 million over next 3 financial years

George Executive Mayor Alderman Leon van Wyk said the municipality was committed to optimising road upgrades across the city. “Due to budget constraints, the George Municipality is forced to prioritise roads in poor to very poor condition. We continually pursue other sources of funding to address as many issues as possible. These projects will utilize funding from three sources over the next three financial years including George Integrated Public Transport Network (GIPTN) funding, own budget and Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) funding,” said Ald Van Wyk.

“The municipality is grateful for these additional income sources that have enabled us to upgrade overall infrastructure and pedestrian experience, which ultimately benefit business, promote investment and improve quality of life,” said Browen Johnson, Portfolio Councillor for Civil Engineering Services.

Universally Accessible
Acting Director for Civil Engineering Services Lionel Daniels confirmed that the municipality will not just upgrade the road during such projects. Underground services such as stormwater and sewerage lines will also be upgraded  as well as the rehabilitation of roads used by buses and other heavy vehicles.  The existing road pavement structure is reviewed and the surface of the pavements, the kerbs and obstructions on the sidewalks are addressed to allow for universal accessibility, a cornerstone of the GO GEORGE bus services.

How are roads selected for upgrade
The George Municipality’s Pavement Management System (PMS) is a planning tool for the maintenance and repair of the entire George municipal road network to optimise road conditions, and is used to prioritise roads for upgrading, repairs and rehabilitation in the George municipal area.

As part of the compilation of the PMS, each road is investigated by specialised pavement engineers and its condition classified from very poor (high priority) to very good (low priority). Factors considered during the classification process are the structural, aesthetic, surface and formation condition as well as traffic volumes and functional class of the road. Integrated Development Plan (IDP) requests and the number of complaints registered per road also plays a role.

From the investigation, treatment options are specified for each road which could vary from a diluted emulsion, minor patching and crack seal to asphalt, rehabilitation, reconstruction, replacement with brick paving and more. Further to the above, although a road may be regarded as high priority, it may be postponed depending on the municipality’s ability to afford the proposed remedial work.

Alternatively, a road that was regarded as ‘good’ may deteriorate very quickly to poor, for instance after flooding and/ or sudden increase in heavy vehicular traffic. Constant monitoring and evaluation are therefore required and may result in the reprioritisation of roads.

Below is a breakdown of projects planned in the 2022/23 financial year and outer years:

Roads (GIPTN) (Budget allowed)

• Golf street (Phase 1 & 2)- Rehabilitation of 1,5 km of Golf Street between Circular and Main Street, design in process with construction planned for end of September 2022 (Value – R15 921 000)
• Tabata street Phase 2 – Rehabilitation of 600m Tabata street (Phase 2) (Value – R15 437 100), Construction to commence beginning of June 2022
• Market street (Phase 4 & 5) – Rehabilitation of 450m of Market Street (Phase 4 &5) (Value  -R20 192 500), Construction to commence 24 May 2022
• Airways Road and associated circles – Rehabilitation of 650m of Airways Road and amendment of three circles to commence 28 May 2022 (Value – R2 500 000)
• Mission Street -Rehabilitation of800 m of Mission Street Road surface between kerbs (Value – R4 500 000) and work to commence beginning of June 2022
• Memorium Street – Rehabilitation of100 m of Memorium Street Road surface between kerbs (Value – R1 500 000) and work to commence end of June 2022
• Triumph/Park Street intersection rehabilitation (Value – R1 250 000)
• PW Botha Rand Street extension, upgrading of the intersection to accommodate the Metro housing development. (Value – R5 500 000)

Roads (GIPTN) designs, awaiting budget allocation:

• Rose Street                                         R20 000 000
• Beukes Street                                    R15 000 000
• Fiskaal Road extension                  R12 000 000
• PW Botha Street                              R64 000 000
• Ngcakani Street (Phase2 – 4)        R59 000 000
• Tabata Street (phase 3 -5)            R40 000 000

Road upgrades funded by Private Developments

• York Street Circles – Construction to commence end of June 2022 (Value – R35 000 000)
• Sweetpea Intersection upgrade. Value to be determined following the design approval.
• Kingswood / R102 Road link – Value to be determines following the design approval.
• Kraaibosch Road Network upgrade – Construction of Road 2 & 3 in terms of the Kraaibosch Road Model.  Value to be determined following the design approval.

Roads (MIG funded)

• Ngcakani street (Phase 1) – R25 000 000 (subject to MIG appraisal approval)
• Rebuild of Streets in Greater George– R7 000 000
• Reseal of Streets – R10 000 000
• Upgrading of existing roads in Delville Park – R10 000 000
• Rooidraai Road: Repairs to Slip Failure – R18 000 000
• Peters Road: Repairs to Slip Failure – R1 500 000
• Remedial Works to Whites Road – R2 500 000
• Upgrading of Saagmeul Street – R8 500 000
• Paving of Roads in Haarlem – R3 000 000

https://youtube.com/shorts/MEYT1QJregE?feature=share
Portfolio Councillor for Civil Engineering Services, Browen Johnson discusses the R500 million upgrades to take place on our roads over the next three years.

The Rooirivierrif Clubhouse which burnt and got damaged in November 2018 is being refurbished. According to Granville Campher, the Manager for Sport in the George Municipality, the renovations must be completed by the end of June 2022. The Executive Mayor, Alderman Leon van Wyk, accompanied by the Portfolio Councillor for Community Services: Social Development, Libraries & Sport, Brendon Adams visited the construction site on Tuesday, 28 June 2022 to assess the progress of the construction.

The Rooirivierriif Clubhouse housed a golf club and was also utilised for local soccer and cricket clubs before it burnt down just over three years ago. Subsequently to that, an investigation was launched, and an insurance claim was submitted. The repairs are being done from the pay-out of the insurance claim and the renovations will be completed by the 30^th of June 2022.

Mayor van Wyk is pleased with the progress made to renovate the clubhouse. “I’m delighted to see that the clubhouse is being restored to its original form and we are looking forward to the utilisation of the clubhouse for the benefit of sport in George,” he said.

Ends.

MASKS NO LONGER COMPULSORY ON GO GEORGE BUSES

Issued 27 June 2022

Following the repeal of all Covid regulations by Government, GO GEORGE has announced that mask-wearing is no longer compulsory on-board buses for either passengers or bus drivers, but that anyone is still welcome to wear a mask if preferred.

Hand sanitiser on board busses and at the GO GEORGE kiosks will still be available in the short term but will also be phased out. However, sanitising of buses will still continue until further notice.

James Robb, GO GEORGE Manager, thanked passengers and staff for their vigilance and cooperation during the pandemic and strict regulations imposed to protect the public from Covid infection. “Losing loved ones, working under strenuous, dangerous and very abnormal circumstances, this was a life-changing and extremely difficult time for all of us – from passengers to staff to management, and looking back, we applaud every single person who made the mind shift and every staff member and role-player in the operations of the bus service who walked the extra mile.”

Robb said all signage and messaging containing reference to Covid regulations at facilities and on the buses will be replaced in due course. “This is wide-spread and will take some time to complete but will have no bearing on the required behaviour of persons using the bus service. At the same time, though, we want to encourage passengers to stay vigilant and take responsibility for their own health – the virus has not left the country.”

CAPTION:

Covid safety regulations such as depicted on this bus shelter will systematically be replaced with other operational information for passengers’ use.

MASKERS NIE MEER VERPLIGTEND OP GO GEORGE-BUSSE NIE

Uitgereik 27 Junie 2022

Na aanleiding van die herroeping van alle Covid-regulasies deur die regering, het GO GEORGE aangekondig dat die dra van maskers nie meer verpligtend is vir passasiers of busbestuurders op busse nie, maar dat enigiemand steeds welkom is om ‘n masker te dra indien verkies.

Handontsmettingsmiddel sal steeds vir ’n kort rukkie op busse en by die GO GEORGE-kiosks beskikbaar wees, maar sal ook uitgefaseer word. Die ontsmetting van busse sal egter voortgaan tot verdere kennisgewing.

James Robb, GO GEORGE-bestuurder, het passasiers en personeel bedank vir hul waaksaamheid en samewerking tydens die pandemie en streng regulasies wat ingestel is om die publiek teen Covid-infeksie te beskerm. “Die verlies van geliefdes, strawwe, gevaarlike en uiters abnormale werksomstandighede – dit alles het bygedra tot ‘n lewensveranderende en baie moeilike tyd vir ons almal, van passasiers tot personeel tot bestuur, en as ons terugkyk, loof ons elke persoon wat die kopskuif gemaak het, en elke personeellid en rolspeler in die bedryf van die busdiens wat die ekstra myl geloop het.”

Robb sê alle aanwysings en boodskappe wat verwys na Covid-regulasies by fasiliteite en op die busse sal mettertyd vervang word. “Dit is wyd verspreid en sal ‘n geruime tyd neem om af te handel, maar sal geen invloed hê op die verwagte gedrag van persone wat die busdiens gebruik nie. Ons moedig passasiers egter aan om versigtig te bly en verantwoordelikheid vir hul eie gesondheid te neem – die virus het nie die land verlaat nie.”

ONDERSKRIF:

Covid-veiligheidsmaatreëls soos hier uitgebeeld op die busskuiling sal stelselmatig vervang word met bedryfsinligting vir passasiers se gebruik.

A surprise visit by senior officials from the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) and the National Treasury of projects funded through the Integrated National Electrification Programme (INEP) on Wednesday 22 June 2022, turned out to be a pleasant surprise, says the George Municipality’s Electro-Technical Services department, as these officials were pleased with the progress on the two projects.

Danie Greeff and Deon Esterhuysen, both senior officials from the George Municipality’s Electro-Technical Services Department had to accompany officials from the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and the National Treasury to the sites of the projects funded by the Integrated National Electrification Programme grant, to assess the progress of the projects. “Our Deputy Director, Mr Greeff, as well as Project Manager, Mr Esterhuysen, from the Electro-Technical Services Department, took the lead and showed our visitors the sites and the brief feedback from the visiting team was positive since they were very happy about the progress made,” said the Bongani Mandla, the director for the George Municipality’s Electro-Technical Service Department.

The two sites that were visited are the electrification of 300 residential units at Erf. 325 in Pacaltsdorp which was completed at the beginning of June this year and the second visit was at a substation site in Thembalethu. “The construction of the new 66kV/11kV 40MVA electrical substation in Thembalethu is well underway. Currently, the contractor is busy with the civil engineering works to construct an engineered platform for the new substation. The construction of the platform, roadworks, oil dam, concrete plinths, installation of the water mains, sewer lines, the erection of the security fence and electrical infrastructure, that form part of the platform, are due for completion by the end of October 2022,” Mandla added.

“The construction of the substation building is planned for the beginning of January 2023, or as soon as all the necessary approvals are in place. The transformers have been ordered and are expected to be delivered in May 2023. The anticipated completion date for the project is scheduled for the end of September 2024,” Mandla concluded.

Ends.

CAPTION:

PHOTO 1:

The electrification of 300 residential units was completed at the beginning of June 2022. From left to right: Mhlangabezi Mzalisi (Department of Mineral Resources and Energy), Unathi Lekonyana (National Treasury), Kate Modise (Department of Mineral Resources and Energy), Noluthando Jiyana-Kaulela (Department of Mineral Resources and Energy), Danie Greeff (George Municipality’s Electro-Technical Services)

PHOTO 2:

The construction of the new 66kV/11kV substation in Thembalethu is well underway. From left to right: Danie Greeff (George Municipality’s Electro-Technical Services Department), Kate Modise (Department of Mineral Resources and Energy), Unathi Lekonyana (National Treasury), Noluthando Jiyana-Kaulela (Department of Mineral Resources and Energy), Mhlangabezi Mzalisi (Department of Mineral Resources and Energy)

Friday 24 June saw a total of 75 mm rainfall measured before 8am and a further 30mm for the rest of the day.

George Joint Operational Centre
The George Municipal Joint Operational Centre was activated at 08h30 and received numerous complaints relating to storm damage . Fire fighters assisted with 27 callouts where sandbags were provided as well as two minor accidents on the Outeniqua Pass and a pedestrian knocked down.

Houses reported flooded – formal and informal
Flooding was extensive in Wilderness with a number of formal houses reported on Southside Street and Anchorage Street.

Businesses and homes were affected in Hope St, Merriman St, Market St, Courtenay St and the Industrial area. Two formal houses in Herold’s Bay had walls collapse. A high number of informal houses were reported as flooded. A total of 35 complaints were received by our Human Settlements division who supplied 180 pieces of gunplas to homeowners.

Stormwater, Water and Roads Complaints
Our Civil Engineering Services division was kept extremely busy with 42 sewer related, 43 water related and 70 road and stormwater related complaints received from Thursday evening to Friday 16h30.

Electrical outages
Various areas experienced power outages due to the weather conditions including the Airport line, Herold’s bay, Tamsui, Groeneweide Park, Airport Road, Proefplaas, Hansmoeskraal, Oubaai, Pacaltsdorp, Bos En Dal, George South, Portion George Industrial, portions of  Thembalethu and Erf 325. These outages were further exacerbated by ESKOM announcing Stage 4 Loadshedding at 11h00 on Friday 24^th. A total of 212 complaints from Thursday evening until Friday evening relating to electrical issues were received.

Roads Temporarily closed
A number of roads were either temporarily closed due to the flooding or warnings were issued to drive with caution. Those briefly closed including Southside Street and Anchorage Street in Wilderness, Hope Street, Union Street and one lane of Courtenay Road was also temporarily closed. Warnings were issued for Victoria Street, Merriman Street, CJ Langenhoven Street, Market Street and St Leger Street.

Refuse Collection delayed
Refuse Collection was delayed due to the heavy rainfall and only started after 11h00. Collections that could not be finished on Friday 24 June were addressed on Saturday 25 June in Loerie Park, CBD businesses, shopping centres and businesses in Wilderness. The Landfill Site was also closed for access on Friday due to localised flooding preventing access to the area that is open for building rubble and garden waste.

The entrances into George were cleaned on Saturday and Sunday and all sidewalks and parking areas were cleared of debris caused by the heavy rain by a team of 59 EPWP worker and their co-ordinators.

Damage to municipal infrastructure
Certain municipal offices had to be closed due to flooding creating a danger of electrical fire. These included the New Housing offices and Social Services Offices.

The Executive Mayor of George, Ald Leon van Wyk congratulated the Hennie Dollies (36) an agricultural worker from the Van Greunen Boerdery, a farming enterprise in the outskirts of George, who has been awarded a farm worker of the year and a winner of the animal production category a competition hosted by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture.

In a special meeting with Dollies and Nelius van Greunen, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Van Greunen Beordery this week, Ald van Wyk applauded Dollies for his dedication and hard work that have undoubtedly yielded good results.  “Today, I’ve met with Hennie Dollies who has won the award for being the top farm worker in the Garden Route; this is a competition that is held to reward and recognize farm workers and their achievements,” Mayor van Wyk said.

Dollies joined the Van Greunen Boerdery about 15 years ago as a general farm worker and have moved up the ladder to his current position of production assistant manager. Dollies had undergone an interview as part of the assessment criteria for the competition. “The interview was mainly about my duties and sought to establish my knowledge around my responsibilities of animal production. I also want to mention that the interview was done virtually as I could not be in the place of work on the day of the interview due to family responsibility leave,” Dollies said.

He says the news that he had won the competition was unexpected since it was for the first time, he entered such a competition. “What was even more surprising is to win the farm worker of the year award in addition to the animal production category which I’ve entered.  I was very excited, and I felt honoured, I never realised that I could win the farm worker of the year award.

Nelius van Greunen, the CEO of Van Greunen Boerdery echoed Dollies’ diligence in his work and acknowledged him as deserving of the award. Hennie is a model of the expression of growth and opportunity in someone’s life who grew from the lower ranks building up his career working his way up, through hard work and responsibility. Through this, Hennie has acquired insight into what agriculture and farming entail,” said Van Greunen.

“We are proud that one of our employees received this award of the farm worker of the year (2021); Van Greunen Boerdery is not only proud of him, but also all personnel members that have, over the past years been part of the enterprise’s growth and success. We are grateful to the Western Cape Department of Agriculture for this competition as it is also a good way of acknowledgement of people that live and work on farms and the role they play in the broader community,” van Greunen added.

In his closing remarks, Mayor van Wyk said, “it’s truly been an honour to meet Hennie today and I want to encourage all other farming enterprise workers to do their best and to also pursue these great achievements.”

Ends.

We have recently been informed that the Growth Potential Study based on 2018 data, lists Stellenbosch, Drakenstein and George at the top of the list in the Western Cape.

In determining the growth potential of towns, the study identifies five themes that are critical for economic growth: Infrastructure; Economic environment; Physical/natural environment; Institutional capital; and Human capital.

Key indicators inform each of the themes, which are modelled and analysed with a performance index calculated for each theme, along with an overall development/growth index.

Once one assesses the data up to 2022, it is likely that the George index could well be even higher.

It is evident from numerous discussions that there is increased economic activity taking place in the George area impacting on numerous sectors and starting to reflect in the volumes of sales for various commodity indicators.

The growth that is occurring vindicates some of the decisions that have been made at the municipal level particularly over the past 18 months to focus on improvements to infrastructure. Included in the process of encouraging investment is the work being done to ensure that the electricity, water, sewerage, and road infrastructure is maintained at a high standard. Some of the work being done to provide renewable energy to mitigate the risks of load-shedding is to ensure that George is a pioneer in local government. By way of example: our large sub-stations have been serviced over the past six months to extend their lifetimes while traffic lights at main intersections have been connected to uninterrupted power supplies.

One aspect of the growth is the extent of semi-gration where citizens are relocating from elsewhere in the country due to crumbling infrastructure. It is crucial however that George is identified as a growth node for particular niches in the economy that will lead to the attraction of investment resulting in increased employment.

We are experiencing green shoots in the agricultural, tourism event and education spheres that are all encouraging. Over the coming weeks, discussions are also likely to take place covering some other sectors where the municipality will make enquiries to the private sector to identify whether George could offer an investment destination. In order to ensure that meaningful collaboration takes place, it is also important that potential investors engage with the municipality at a senior level to indicate their interests and needs. Such interaction will provide opportunities to expedite the preparations and planning necessary to enable the environment for investment. We believe that such discussions will assist in establishing specific economic niches for George that will deliver the growth in employment and skills development that we desire.

We encourage our citizens to make approaches to discuss projects, by emailing supportbusiness@george.gov.za.

Buying bulk is the smart choice when you top up your Smart Card with bus trips – it’s much cheaper and more convenient. Top up before you have completely run out of trips, and do so when you’re not in a rush to get to work or school.
This is the core message conveyed by GO GEORGE in the period running up to the annual tariff increase on the 1st of July.

Cheaper the more you buy
Smart Card trips bought in bundles of 10 or more cost R11 per trip and remain the best buy, bundles of two to eight trips cost R12,25 per trip, and single trips cost R15. A passenger who uses the bus five days per week, could save up to R176 per month by buying bundles of 10 trips and more, instead of loading one trip at a time.

Buy before tariff increase and save
Trips on the Smart Card never expire, so there is no risk of losing trips, even if you don’t travel regularly. For the same reason, it is a smart move to load more trips before the tariff increase kicks in, but passengers are advised to treat their Smart Cards as cautiously as they would treat cash, since trips on a lost or stolen card cannot be refunded.

Top up in time
Passengers are advised not to wait until they have no trips left, and to always keep at least two emergency trips on their Smart Cards. Having to top up on your way to work or school could be frustrating when the queues are long, or when an unpredictable event such as unstable internet connectivity prevents the vendor or kiosk from selling trips at the time. It would be better to top up outside of peak times, and at a time when you’re in no rush to be somewhere on time.

Smart Card kiosks are open from 05:00 until 20:00 and are situated at the George Transport Hub in Cradock Street, at the Blanco Triangle, and at the Garden Route Mall. A dedicated GO GEORGE counter in the Municipality’s finance hall has been set up to serve passengers’ needs during municipal business hours while a new fixed kiosk is being established in York Street. The kiosks’ services include both Smart Card sales and trip top-ups.

The network of top-up vendors all over town do top-ups only. Look out for the GO GEORGE vendor signage, or for a detailed list of all top-up vendors, visit the GO GEORGE Facebook page or phone the Call Centre on 0800 044 044. Call Centre agents are on duty from 05:00 until 20:00, seven days a week. Enquiries can also be e-mailed to info@gogeorge.org.za.

Multirit-aankope op Slimkaart baie goedkoper_Koop voor tariefverhoging en spaar

Om grootmaat te koop, is die slim keuse as jy jou Slimkaart met busritte aanvul – dit is baie goedkoper én boonop geriefliker. Herlaai voordat jy geen ritte oor het nie, en doen dit wanneer jy nie haastig is om by die werk of skool te kom nie.

Dit is die kernboodskap wat GO GEORGE oordra in die tydperk wat die jaarlikse tariefverhoging op 1 Julie voorafgaan.

Goedkoper hoe meer jy koop
Slimkaartritte wat in bondels van 10 of meer gekoop word, kos R11 per rit en bly die beste koop, bondels van twee tot agt ritte kos R12,25 per rit, en enkelritte kos R15. ‘n Passasier wat die bus vyf dae per week gebruik, kan tot R176 per maand bespaar deur bondels van 10 ritte en meer te koop, in plaas daarvan om een rit op ‘n slag te laai.

Koop voor tariefverhoging en spaar
Ritte op die Slimkaart verval nooit nie, so daar is geen risiko om ritte te verloor nie, selfs al ry jy nie gereeld bus nie. Om dieselfde rede is dit ‘n slim skuif om meer ritte te laai voordat die tariefverhoging inskop, maar passasiers word aangeraai om hul Slimkaarte so versigtig soos kontant te hanteer aangesien ritte op ‘n verlore of gesteelde kaart nie terugbetaal kan word nie.

Herlaai betyds
Passasiers word aangeraai om nie te wag totdat hulle geen ritte oor het nie, en om altyd ten minste twee noodritte op hul Slimkaarte te hou. Om op jou pad werk of skool toe te herlaai, kan frustrerend wees wanneer die rye lank is, of wanneer iets onvoorspelbaars soos beurtkrag verhoed dat die verkoper of kiosk op daardie tydstip ritte kan verkoop. Dit sal beter wees om buite spitstye te herlaai op ‘n tyd wanneer jy nie jaag om betyds by jou bestemming te wees nie.

Slimkaart kiosks is oop van 05:00 tot 20:00 en is geleë by die George-vervoerkern (Transport Hub) in Cradockstraat, by die Blanco-driehoek en by die Garden Route Mall. ‘n GO GEORGE-toonbank is in die munisipaliteit se betaalsaal ingerig om in passasiers se behoeftes gedurende munisipale werksure te voorsien terwyl ‘n nuwe vaste kiosk in Yorkstraat gevestig word. Die kiosks se dienste sluit beide Slimkaart- en ritverkope in.

Die netwerk van herlaaipunte in besighede regoor die dorp herlaai slegs kaarte. Kyk uit vir die “GO GEORGE vendor”-borde, of vir ’n volledige lys van alle herlaaipunte, besoek die GO GEORGE Facebook-blad of skakel die inbelsentrum by 0800 044 044. Agente is van 05:00 tot 20:00, sewe dae per week aan diens. Navrae kan ook per e-pos gestuur word aan info@gogeorge.org.za.

The approval of the 2022/23 budget in May 2022 by Council has introduced a number of changes as to how George Municipality will be charging for electricity.

 WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW?

• The ESKOM increase to all municipalities in South Africa is 8.61% and George Municipality has approved an overall average electricity price lower than this for our customers at 7.47%. (Please note you will not be charged the Eskom increase + GM increase).
• To comply with NERSA requirements, the George Municipal tariffs will be structured as cost reflective tariffs, with changes to how the tariff is made up.
• The tariff structure changes will include a fixed cost made up of a Basic, and a Capacity Charge, and an energy consumption charge according to number of units electricity used.
• The Basic and Capacity charges will only come into effect for capacities of 30 Amperes and above.
• Registered indigent, and poor households will not pay any fixed charges but will need to limit their pre-paid meter electricity supply to a 20 AMP capacity.
• The new tariff rates will be applied as from 1 July 2022, but implementation of the actual capacity selections capacity limit will be rolled out over a period of maximum two years.
• You can CHOOSE your Capacity now already if you want to manage your load in your household and know how many kilowatt-hours you consume per month.
• If you can manage with 20 Amps there will be NO Capacity Charge and NO Basic Charge.
• If you don’t know what your capacity should be – You don’t have to make a CHOICE right now! George Municipality will look at what you have used as a household over the past 12 months and implement an appropriate capacity selection for you – limited to 40 Amps. The majority of consumers, those using less than 600 kWh/m, should be on 20 Amps (4 600 Watts) as this provides adequate capacity if the load is managed and this will ensure that the price increase will not be more than the average increase.
• If we choose for you, you will have one opportunity to change the selected capacity again between July 2022 – June 2023 as well as once per financial year thereafter.
• The fixed costs (Basic + Capacity charge) and consumptions charge are linked to the Capacity you choose or that we select for you.
• Should you be placed on a tariff with a fixed cost, you will be paying a reduced energy charge per kWh unit. Do therefore not purchase units in bulk before the end of the financial year, the cost per kWh on these tariffs will be reduced.
• Consumers who require more than 20 Amp capacity will be charged a cost-reflective tariff consisting of a fixed monthly basic charge; a capacity charge depending on the capacity limit of the supply and a reduced energy consumption charge as per Table A.

Do you want to reduce your capacity and save costs?

1. If you don’t make a decision by 1 July, George Municipality will place you on an assumed capacity based on the historical consumption patterns to a maximum of 40 Amp capacity. This should be more than enough for the average household, but If you want to reduce your costs and you can manage your load / times of electricity peak use every day, you can complete this form here and email it to applications@george.gov.za to change your capacity limit.
2. You have one option per financial year (1 July 2022 – 30 June 2023) to change your capacity as well as once a financial year thereafter.
3. Do you want to discuss your energy consumption and find out what the best Capacity will be for your needs, phone 044801 9243, have your Municipal Account Number and Prepaid Meter Number handy OR email your query to applications@george.gov.za
4. Capacity Application form available at: https://www.george.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/GM-APPLICATION-FORM-_SELECTION-OF-ELECTRICITY-SUPPLY-CAPACITY.pdf
5. https://www.george.gov.za/electro-technical/electrical-tariff-amendments-2022/ for further information and frequently asked questions which will assist consumers in understanding the new tariffs, knowing what capacity to select and how to manage their loads within the selected capacity.

JCC donates prem baby clothes for Youth Day

George Municipal Councillors Thandiswa Qatana and Marais Kruger who play a co-ordinating role providing guidance and coaching to the Junior City Council,  joined two of the members  on 16^th June, to donate 212 pieces of hand-knitted premature baby clothes to the George Provincial Hospital . The Junior City Council raised money for the purchase of wool by selling cakes and brownies at their respective schools, and received donations of wool from different organisations and residents. With the wool in hand, they visited a number of old age homes to ask the elderly to employ their considerable skills in knitting a variety of beautiful booties, baby beanies and jackets.

In the photograph from the left are Abi Powell, JCC Member (Glenwood High School) Sister Wendy Uithaler (George Provincial Hospital); Dr Else (George Provincial Hospital); Cllr Thandiswa Qatana; Carla Kruger, JCC Deputy Mayor (Outeniqua High School) and Ward 22 Cllr Marais Kruger with the boxes of premature baby clothes donated to the George Hospital NICU

van·​dal·​ism  willful or malicious destruction or defacement of public or private property

A Google search for the word vandalism floods the screen with topics such as:

• What causes vandalism?
• What is the impact of vandalism on the community?
• How can we prevent vandalism?
• How can we stop vandalism and graffiti?

There are no clearcut answers, but community leaders world-wide keep digging for solutions to this pandemic of senselessly damaging property and breaking down infrastructure serving the community.  Closer to home, municipal property including the buses and facilities of the GO GEORGE bus service is the constant target of vandals stoning buses, defacing shelters with graffiti or breaking shelter panels designed to protect passengers from harsh weather.

Asking all of the above questions, GO GEORGE management seeks to engage the community at large, community leaders and organisations, role models and influencers to actively look into the local situation.

Community influencers join the battle

A panel of six well-known community influencers have already agreed to become “the face” of this anti-vandalism campaign and to put their weight behind the effort to involve the community, to identify causal factors and to seek solutions. They are Morné Pietersen (Manager, Eden FM), Lloyd Bosman (athlete), Moses Williams (actor and comedian), Lizette da Silva (George Herald editor), Peter Jaftha (Manager, Heartbeat FM) and Zane Kirchner, former Springbok rugby player and assistant coach of the SWD Eagles.  Posters with personal messages from each of these campaign ambassadors have been put up all over town.

Following an introductory meeting with them at the GIPTN offices last week, GO GEORGE Manager James Robb was thrilled with the input and ideas bandied about. “The value and insight these participants bring to the table are immensely important,” he said. “Their approach to the issue is fresh and creative. They reach members and sectors of the community that we on our own could never do, so there will definitely be an ongoing effort to involve more ambassadors from all communities to expand the reach and impact of the campaign.”

Multi-pronged approach needed

The lack of understanding of the value of property came up during the discussion, as well as the lack of respect. “If someone does not have respect for a bus stop that was provided for their community’s convenience, how will they ever have respect for other people and authority figures?” asked Lizette da Silva. “We could ask schools, for instance, to take ownership of nearby bus stops, at the same time teaching children respect, and how to take responsibility for the maintenance of facilities provided to them with hard-earned taxpayers’ money,” she said.

Peter Jaftha agreed with the concept of involving communities in their direct vicinity. “People in smaller communities know one another and the challenges faced in their area and will be more likely to get involved to solve a problem that is downgrading their community and its facilities,” he said.

Zane Kirchner could not attend the first think tank due to work commitments but confirmed his allegiance with the campaign. “I am looking forward to helping find solutions and getting the communities of which I am part involved in prevention of vandalism, as well as ways to stop it,” he said.

Morné Pietersen noted that many vandals fall outside formal structures such as schools, which makes it difficult to reach them and change their attitude. “Although there is a crucial educational component to the approach taken, we’ll also have to partner with and empower neighbourhood watches to become our community partners in prevention as well as apprehension of criminals. They are the eyes watching out for clandestine activities after dark, when the perpetrators are at their most active.”

This point was reiterated by Lloyd Bosman who is a teacher and has experience of the value of electronic monitoring via CCTV cameras at schools in terms of evidence, as well as deterring perpetrators.

Moses Williams as entertainer and active social media content creator gave input regarding the use of platforms such as TikTok to reach the youth. He has previously been involved in scriptwriting for anti-vandalism skits performed at schools by the GO GEORGE communication champions and will continue to support efforts involving the performing arts, such as the current rap competition for high schools.

Reward for useful information

George Municipality has recently approved a reward of R2 500 to persons providing information that leads to the successful conviction of vandals damaging GO GEORGE property and infrastructure. Informants should phone the GO GEORGE Call Centre immediately on 0800 044 044 when they witness acts of vandalism in process. Ideally, law enforcement agents should catch the vandals in the act, but photographic evidence will be very useful too.

Any individuals or organisations who are willing to get involved or share advice on addressing vandalism are invited to leave a message at the Call Centre or send an email to info@gogeorge.org.za.

CAPTIONS:

The first six ambassadors of the GO GEORGE anti-vandalism campaign had an introductory meeting with the campaign organisers last week to give input and exchange ideas to curb vandalism of buses and infrastructure.

From left are Moses Williams (actor and comedian), Lizette da Silva (George Herald editor), Lloyd Bosman (athlete), Alet van Tonder (GO GEORGE communications team), Peter Jaftha (Manager, Heartbeat FM), James Robb (GO GEORGE Manager), Charmaine Pretorius (GO GEORGE communications team) and Morné Pietersen (Manager, Eden FM). Zane Kirchner, former Springbok rugby player and assistant coach of the SWD Eagles, is also a member of the panel but could not attend the meeting.

POSTERS:

Posters with the six anti-vandalism campaign ambassadors can now be seen all over town, expressing their views regarding vandalism of GO GEORGE buses and infrastructure.

PERSVERKLARING: GO GEORGE pak vandalisme met mening

Uitgereik Maandag 20 Junie 2022

van·​da·l​is·me  opsetlike of kwaadwillige vernietiging of beskadiging van openbare of private eiendom

‘n Google-soektog na die woord vandalisme vul die skerm met onderwerpe soos:

• Wat veroorsaak vandalisme?
• Wat is die impak van vandalisme op die gemeenskap?
• Hoe kan ons vandalisme voorkom?
• Hoe kan ons vandalisme en graffiti stop?

Daar is geen duidelike antwoorde nie, maar gemeenskapsleiers wêreldwyd hou aan grawe vir oplossings vir hierdie pandemie van sinnelose beskadiging van eiendom en die afbreek van infrastruktuur wat die gemeenskap bedien.  Op eie bodem is munisipale eiendom, insluitend die busse en fasiliteite van die GO GEORGE-busdiens, die konstante teiken van vandale wat busse met klippe bestook, busskuilings met graffiti ontsier of skuilingpanele wat ontwerp is om passasiers teen gure weer te beskerm, breek.

Deur al bogenoemde vrae te vra, poog die GO GEORGE-bestuurspan om die gemeenskap in geheel, gemeenskapsleiers en -organisasies, rolmodelle en beïnvloeders te betrek om aktief na die plaaslike situasie te kyk.

Gemeenskapsbeïnvloeders sluit aan by die stryd

‘n Paneel van ses bekende gemeenskapsbeïnvloeders het reeds ingestem om “die gesig” van hierdie anti-vandalisme-veldtog te word en hul gewig in te gooi by die poging om die gemeenskap te betrek, oorsaaklike faktore te identifiseer en oplossings te soek. Hulle is Morné Pietersen (bestuurder, Eden FM), Lloyd Bosman (atleet), Moses Williams (akteur en komediant), Lizette da Silva (George Herald-redakteur), Peter Jaftha (bestuurder, Heartbeat FM) en Zane Kirchner, voormalige Springbokrugbyspeler en hulpafrigter van die SWD-Arende.  Plakkate met persoonlike boodskappe van elk van hierdie veldtogambassadeurs is regoor die dorp opgerig.

Ná ‘n inleidende vergadering met die span by die GIPTN-kantore verlede week, is GO GEORGE-bestuurder, James Robb, opgewonde oor die insette en idees wat gewissel is. “Die waarde en insig wat hierdie deelnemers tafel toe bring, is geweldig belangrik,” sê hy. “Hul benadering tot die kwessie is vars en kreatief. Hulle bereik lede en sektore van die gemeenskap wat ons op ons eie nooit sal kan doen nie, so daar sal beslis ‘n deurlopende poging wees om meer ambassadeurs uit alle gemeenskappe te betrek om die reikwydte en impak van die veldtog uit te brei.”

Veelvoudige benadering nodig

Die gebrek aan begrip van die waarde van eiendom is tydens die bespreking geopper, asook die gebrek aan respek. “As iemand nie respek het vir ‘n bushalte wat vir hul gemeenskap se gerief voorsien is nie, hoe sal hulle ooit respek vir ander mense en gesagsfigure hê?” het Lizette da Silva gevra. “Ons kan skole byvoorbeeld vra om eienaarskap van nabygeleë bushaltes te neem, terwyl kinders in die proses geleer word om respek te hê vir fasiliteite wat aan hulle voorsien word met swaarverdiende belastingbetalersgeld, en hoe om verantwoordelikheid te neem vir die instandhouding daarvan.”

Peter Jaftha het saamgestem met die konsep om gemeenskappe in hul direkte omgewing te betrek: “Mense in kleiner gemeenskappe ken mekaar en die uitdagings wat in hul gebied in die gesig gestaar word en sal meer geneig wees om betrokke te raak om ‘n probleem op te los wat hul gemeenskap en sy fasiliteite afgradeer.”

Zane Kirchner kon weens werksverpligtinge nie die eerste dinkskrum bywoon nie, maar het sy verbintenis met die veldtog bevestig. “Ek sien uit daarna om oplossings te help vind en die gemeenskappe waarvan ek deel is betrokke te kry by die voorkoming van vandalisme, asook maniere om dit stop te sit,” het hy gesê.

Morné Pietersen het opgemerk dat baie vandale buite formele strukture soos skole val, wat dit moeilik maak om hulle te bereik en hul houding te verander. “Hoewel daar ‘n belangrike opvoedkundige komponent is in die benadering wat gevolg word, sal ons ook met buurtwagte moet saamwerk en hulle bemagtig om ons gemeenskapsvennote te word in voorkoming van vandalisme sowel as die aankeer van misdadigers. Hulle is die mense wat uitkyk vir klandestiene bedrywighede ná donker, wanneer die oortreders op hul aktiefste is.”

Hierdie punt is ondersteun deur Lloyd Bosman wat ‘n onderwyser is en ervaring het van die waarde van elektroniese monitering via CCTV-kameras by skole, ten opsigte van bewyse, asook om oortreders af te skrik.

Moses Williams as vermaaklikheidster en aktiewe sosiale media-inhoudskepper het insette gelewer oor die gebruik van platforms soos TikTok om die jeug te bereik. Hy was voorheen betrokke by die skryf van ’n draaiboek vir anti-vandalisme-sketse wat deur die GO GEORGE-passasiersdiensbeamptes by skole opgevoer word en sal steeds bystand verleen met aktiwiteite wat die uitvoerende kunste betrek, soos die huidige kletsrymkompetisie vir hoërskole.

Beloning vir nuttige inligting

George-munisipaliteit het onlangs ‘n beloning van R2 500 goedgekeur aan persone wat inligting verskaf wat lei tot die suksesvolle skuldigbevinding van vandale wat GO GEORGE-eiendom en -infrastruktuur beskadig. Informante moet die GO GEORGE-inbelsentrum onmiddellik by 0800 044 044 skakel wanneer hulle vandalistiese bedrywighede sien. Ideaal gesproke moet wetstoepassingsagente die vandale op heterdaad betrap, maar fotobewyse sal ook baie nuttig wees.

Enige individu of organisasie wat bereid is om betrokke te raak of advies oor die aanspreek van vandalisme te deel, word uitgenooi om ‘n boodskap by die Inbelsentrum te laat of ‘n e-pos aan info@gogeorge.org.za te stuur.

ONDERSKRIFTE:

Die eerste ses ambassadeurs van die GO GEORGE-anti-vandalisme-veldtog het verlede week ‘n inleidende vergadering met die veldtogorganiseerders bygewoon om insette te lewer en idees uit te ruil om vandalisme van busse en infrastruktuur te bekamp.

Van links is Moses Williams (akteur en komediant), Lizette da Silva (George Herald-redakteur), Lloyd Bosman (atleet), Alet van Tonder (GO GEORGE-kommunikasiespan), Peter Jaftha (bestuurder, Heartbeat FM), James Robb (GO GEORGE-bestuurder), Charmaine Pretorius (GO GEORGE-kommunikasiespan) en Morné Pietersen (bestuurder, Eden FM). Zane Kirchner, voormalige Springbokrugbyspeler en hulpafrigter van die SWD-Arende, is ook ‘n lid van die paneel, maar kon nie die vergadering bywoon nie.

PLAKKATE: Plakkate met die ses anti-vandalisme-veldtogambassadeurs wat hul sienings oor vandalisme van GO GEORGE-busse en infrastruktuur oordra, is nou oral in die dorp te sien.