press-release

Link to Video GRDM: https://youtu.be/NWlkRB9cGJw

Following an Illegal Dumping Awareness session that was held at Thembalethu Community Hall last Saturday 31 October, it was clear that illegal dumping is a big problem and health hazard in George and without the help of the local communities the Municipalities will not be able to keep up with the cleaning of dumps, as it is not financially viable. The Executive Mayor of George, Alderman Leon van Wyk, said in his address to the stakeholders present, “we can only win this war on waste when we have plans in place to sustain our efforts in addressing illegal dumping.
Van Wyk said it became evident during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic that illegal dumping in areas such as Thembalethu and Pacaltsdorp was becoming a serious health concern. “We were advised to take action and source funding to undertake the cleaning up of sites. From a George Municipality perspective we appreciate any kind of assistance from government institutions as well as the private sector is highly welcomed and appreciated.” Van Wyk said it is indeed wonderful that the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) and the George Municipality are working together to clean dumping sites. He said we need to take pride in our homes, properties and areas in which we live. There are many dangers and negative effects that arise from dumping. It becomes a health risk to humans and animals.

Van Wyk said these problems also need to be addressed at national government level in terms of advertising and education. He said municipalities will never have enough funding at any stage to end illegal dumping. “We need to work together to eliminate dumping. The City of Cape Town spends hundreds of millions of rand on addressing illegal dumping. George Municipality struggles to allocate R10 million every financial year. If we didn’t have to spend this money on clearing dumping, it could be spent on other important services such as, playground equipment, sport and assistance to small and micro businesses.

Alderman Memory Booysen, Executive Mayor of the GRDM, said in his address that we will show the rest of South Africa, starting in George, that we can be the safest, cleanest district in the country. Booysen said the project will be rolled out to the rest of the district and he, the Mayor of Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) pledges his continuous support to this operation.

Radie Loubser, Senior Manager: Environmental Services at George Municipality said he is an advocate to get the communities involved together with the buy-in of councillors. He said people should be made aware of the problem through the help of councillors. Dumping is illegal and a big health hazard.
Loubser said people should be informed and educated on the problem and how to address it and law enforcement should enforce punishment with the issuing of fines.
A presentation was made by Johan Gie, Waste Management at GRDM where the challenges, requirements and costs of the project were explained. A video clip where locals were interviewed, was part of the presentation shown. The video clip showed community members who have started cleaning their own neighbourhoods. It was also clear that many residents are unhappy with the current state their communities are in and they are ready to blow the whistle on illegal dumpers.

REPORT ILLEGAL DUMPING
What is illegal dumping?
Illegal dumping is anything you throw away in a place where it does not
belong.
• If you know who is dumping illegally, report them to 044 801 6350 or
sprins@george.gov.za or 044 801 6300 (a/h).
• Information that will help the case for a warning or fine: car description
and/or registration number, address of alleged perpetrator, type of waste
and address of where it was dumped. A cellphone photo of dumping in
action will help, but is not essential.
• Report dumped waste for collection to 044 802 2900 or 044 801 6300
(a/h).

ILLEGAL DUMPING IS EVERYBODY’S PROBLEM
If you throw your junk just anywhere, it will eventually become your
problem some way or another. It can make you sick or kill you.
REFUSE REMOVAL: GENERAL
• Households may put out seven black, four green and an unlimited number
of blue bags. Additional tied bundles of branches are allowed if they are
shorter than a metre in length and can be picked up by one person.
• BLUE bags are for non-soiled recyclable materials, including plastic, paper,
cardboard, glass etc.
• GREEN bags are for green waste, including organic kitchen waste such as
fruit and vegetable peels, as well as garden waste, including grass cuttings,
leaves etc. No soil is allowed in green bags.
• BLACK bags are for ‘wet’ waste, things that cannot be recycled.
• All refuse bags must be put out by 7am on removal day. Please don’t put
bags out the day or night before removal.
• Please wrap broken glass in newspaper before placing in bags to prevent
injuries to workers.
• A pack of 26 black bags are distributed to households quarterly.
• Blue and green bags are collected on the same day as black bag refuse
removal but not at the same time. A separate trip is made for the
collection of the blue bags. Participating households will receive two blue
and two green replacement bags.
• Households or businesses that are actively recycling and require additional
green or blue bags, can collect from the municipality Environmental
Services department at 82 Meade Street.

Photo: Stakeholders at the event are in front from left, Cllr Jenny Hartnick (GRDM), Grace Notshokovu (George Municipality), Cllr Khayalethu Lose. At the back are Ethan Stoffels (George Mun), Bonisile Desha (Programme Director), Cllr Joslyn Johnson (GRDM), Cllr Iona Kritzinger (George Mun), Aldm Memory Booysen (GRDM), Aldm Leon van Wyk (George Mun), Cllr Erica Brown ( George Mun), Tanja Botha (George Mun), Karin Stoffels (George Mun) and Radie Loubser (George Mun).

Issued George Municipality, Friday 6 November 2020

While most youth go to the beach over weekends to laze around, members of the George Junior City Council went geared up to clean at Herold’s Bay beach and filled several black bags with rubbish dumped on the beach and sidewalks. The members visited the beach on Saturday, 17 October.

According to Áine Ferreira, member of the George Junior City Council and learner at Outeniqua High School, they went there, not thinking they would find much trash “but little did we know that what visually didn’t look like much, filled up black bags.”
“We were especially amazed by the amount of cigarette butts filling the beach and side walks. It was shocking to see,” Áine said.

She says she did some research and found that 65% of all cigarette butts end up being littered. “The majority of these get washed away into streams and end in the ocean, spreading harmful chemicals and poisoning sea creatures. Not only does cigarette filters contain a plastic called cellulose acetate which can last for 25 years in the environment without breaking down but there are also about 4000 chemicals in a single cigarette filter, including arsenic, formaldehyde, ammonia and lead. The plastic body of the filter can get lodged in the intestines and airways of animals, leading to suffocation or starvation,” she said.

Áine said that like most of our beaches in George and surrounds, Herold’s Bay has been equipped with trash bins, conveniently located every few meters apart to make doing the right thing ,easy. There is even a cigarette butt holder. “We as the Junior City Council of George would like to urge you, the citizens and visitors to think of the consequences of everything you drop to the ground. Next time you leave the beach, remember to bin your trash. It will only make your next visit a more enjoyable one. Even the tiny things you might consider to be insignificant can have a huge negative impact,” she said.

Photo

Áine Ferreira (Outeniqua High School),Haydn Wentzel (York High School), Maya van Zyl (York High School), Talita van Eeden (Outeniqua High School),Lindy Prinsloo (Glenwood House School), Caitlin Potgieter (Outeniqua High School),Precious Xego (Eden Technical High School),Davinicia-Lee London (George High School) on the beach after their clean-up.

Issued 4 Nov 2020

GO GEORGE’s targeted awareness programme on public transport matters annually focuses on both passengers and the public during Public Transport Month in October. This year’s educational programme was concluded at a high note with a visit to the Bethesda Child and Youth Care Centre in George last week.

Adhering to strict Covid safety measures, the youngsters at Bethesda had the opportunity to approach the popular GO GEORGE mascot, Georgie, who shared tips with them in a fun manner about the safe use of the bus service. This topic linked in perfectly with a current independent living programme conducted at Bethesda.

Georgie specifically touched on the Covid safety measures that all GO GEORGE passengers need to adhere to such as the proper wearing of masks, hand sanitising, how to safely board the bus, the rules of carriage and behaviour expected of passengers while on the bus, and especially how to safely cross the street in the vicinity of the bus.

The visit was concluded with Georgie’s vivacious rendition of the Jerusalema dance, with the youngsters eagerly participating.

Passenger safety remains priority
Although there was a heightened focus on passenger education and experience during National Transport Month, the recurring theme of passenger safety cannot be emphasised enough, says GO GEORGE Manager, James Robb.

“The Covid-19 safety restrictions prohibited the usual round of educational visits to pre-schools this year and taking the pre-schoolers and primary school classes on bus trips was a safety risk too. We look forward to exposing the learners to public transport as a concept and our local bus service again as soon as the risk level allows,” Robb says.

An ongoing passenger safety programme in collaboration with several stakeholders has been launched during Transport Month. As part of an educational tool kit, a pamphlet focusing on passenger safety while walking to the bus stop, boarding, travelling and disembarking has been developed and will be used to instil good habits amongst passengers, pedestrians and other road users.

Any institution interested in being included in GO GEORGE’s safety programme is invited to send an email to info@gogeorge.org.za or call 0800 044 044.

CAPTION:
The youngsters at the Bethesda Child and Youth Care Centre enjoyed Georgie’s visit and participated in his cheerful Jerusalema dance. Each one received a GO GEORGE drawstring bag and sun visor cap.

GO GEORGE sluit Vervoermaand-program by Bethesda af
Uitgereik 4 Nov 2020

GO GEORGE se geteikende bewusmakingsprogram oor openbare vervoersake fokus jaarliks op beide passasiers en die publiek gedurende Openbare Vervoermaand in Oktober. Vanjaar se opvoedkundige program is verlede week op ‘n hoë noot afgesluit met ‘n besoek aan die Bethesda Kinder- en Jeugsorgsentrum in George.

Onder streng nakoming van Covid-veiligheidsmaatreëls het die jongspan by Bethesda die geleentheid gehad om die gewilde GO GEORGE-gelukbringer, Georgie, van nader te beskou terwyl hy op ‘n prettige manier inligting gedeel het oor die veilige gebruik van die busdiens. Hierdie onderwerp het perfek ingeskakel by ‘n program oor hoe om onafhanklik te leef wat Bethesda tans vir hul jong inwoners aanbied.

Georgie het spesifiek gepraat oor die Covid-veiligheidsmaatreëls wat alle GO GEORGE-passasiers moet nakom, soos die behoorlike dra van maskers, handreiniging, hoe om veilig op die bus te klim, die reëls van vervoer en gedrag wat van passasiers verwag word terwyl hulle op die bus is, en veral hoe om die straat in die omgewing van die bus veilig oor te steek.

Die besoek is afgesluit met Georgie se lewenslustige aanbieding van die Jerusalema-dans waaraan die jongmense geesdriftig deelgeneem het.

Passasiersveiligheid bly prioriteit
Hoewel daar ‘n verhoogde fokus op passasiersopvoeding en -ervaring gedurende Nasionale Vervoermaand was, kan die tema van passasiersveiligheid nie genoeg beklemtoon word nie, sê GO GEORGE-bestuurder, James Robb.

“Die Covid-19-veiligheidsbeperkings het vanjaar die gewone ronde opvoedkundige besoeke aan kleuterskole uitgeskakel en om die voorskoolse groepe en laerskoolklasse op busritte te neem, was ook ‘n risiko. Ons sien daarna uit om die leerders weer bloot te stel aan ons plaaslike busdiens en openbare vervoer as ‘n konsep sodra die risikovlak dit moontlik maak,” sê Robb.

‘n Deurlopende passasiersveiligheidsprogram in samewerking met verskeie belanghebbendes is gedurende Vervoermaand van stapel gestuur. As deel van ‘n stel opvoedkundige hulpmiddels is ‘n pamflet ontwikkel wat op passasiersveiligheid fokus terwyl jy na die bushalte loop, op die bus klim, ry en weer afklim, om goeie gewoontes onder passasiers, voetgangers en ander padgebruikers in te skerp.

Enige instelling wat daarin belangstel om by GO GEORGE se veiligheidsprogram ingesluit te word, word uitgenooi om ‘n e-pos aan info@gogeorge.org.za te stuur of 0800 044 044 te skakel.

ONDERSKRIF:

Die jongklomp by die Bethesda Kinder- en Jeugsorgsentrum het Georgie se besoek terdeë geniet en die geesdriftig deelgeneem aan sy vrolike Jerusalema-dans. Elkeen het ‘n GO GEORGE-toerygsakkie en sonskermpet ontvang.

The George Municipality reminds residents and visitors that fireworks, fire crackers, flares, paper lanterns and other such paraphernalia are considered a major fire risk and are not allowed in public or private spaces in the municipal area.

George Acting Fire Chief Neels Barnard said the George Municipality Public Safety and Nuisance bylaws, overall fire safety and disaster management regulations, and ongoing dry and hot conditions of the Western Cape fire season were all reasons why fireworks remained banned in the municipal area.
The selling of fireworks is also illegal, and no such permits have been issued or will be issued by the George Municipality. The illegal trading, possession and/or setting off of fireworks carry fines of R300 and fireworks will be confiscated. Such activities can be reported on the numbers below.

While the current municipal bylaw mentions application for a permit for professional pyrotechnic shows, the George Fire Department reiterates that no such permits have been issued for years and are extremely unlikely to be issued in the foreseeable future.

The George Municipal Disaster Centre stressed that there had not been designated sites for fireworks in the George municipal area for years and was unlikely to be reinstated, despite public tradition to ‘self-designate’ certain areas such as beaches, parks and streets
Paper lanterns hold duel concern. In addition to the risk of blowing and dropping out of sight and catching fire in vegetation or on flammable material before it is extinguished, paper lanterns also waste resources when rescue services are incorrectly alerted to an ‘emergency flare’.

The public must please understand that any kind of spark or heat holds a threat – while fireworks, flares and lanterns are being highlighted, the appeal is for responsible, fire-aware action throughout. Please exercise extreme caution always, make fires only in protected and designated areas, and dispose of cigarette butts safely.

Please report illegal trade and setting off of fireworks in George to Law Enforcement at 044 801 6350 or after hours at 044 801 6300.
Please report illegal, irresponsible and unsafe fires to the Fire Department on 044 801 6300.

FIRE EMERGENCIES: 044 801 6311

MEDIA STATEMENT: Tampering leads to fatality
Issued George Municipality, 5 November 2020

George Municipality confirms that an individual was found Wednesday morning (4 November 2020) at Tamsui Substation, fatally wounded after tampering with municipal electrical infrastructure. A large portion of Thembalethu and sections of Rosedale were affected by the subsequent power outage. George Municipality is undertaking an investigation relating to Occupational Health and Safety, which will be submitted to the Department of Labour and SAPS has opened an inquest docket for a general inquiry into the death. In a separate incident, a four year old child from the Asazani Informal settlement, was admitted to hospital, after touching an electrical cable which was illegally connected between houses.

Mr Steven Erasmus, Acting Municipal Manager said that both incidents are regarded in a serious light and that the highly dangerous conditions caused by illegal connections, cannot be emphasized enough. George Municipality remains deeply concerned for the lives of innocent children, adults as well as animals.
Legal consumers should seriously consider how these illegal connections affect them and their families. An illegal connection not only puts the perpetrator in danger of electrocution, risking injury and death but also the rest of the community. These connections lie across pathways and walkways where anyone passing can easily be electrocuted. An additional risk is that illegally connected wires can also make contact with other items such as roofs, gutters and washing lines, making these items live and able to conduct electricity.

The human body can only withstand about 50 milli-ampere (less than 1% of the current drawn by an average kettle) through it, before a medical condition called ventricular fibrillation sets in. To safeguard people against this, each house with legal electricity and a tariff meter is fitted with an earth leakage protection unit.
Children can easily be killed, due to their lower weight, as a result of illegal connections not having earth leakage protection.

An electricity connection is considered illegal when it is connected to the George Municipal network without the organisation’s permission. Wires are connected to a mini-substation or overhead pole. The forms of electricity theft include illegal connections, illegal electrification schemes and meter tampering and bypassing. These illegal electrical thefts are mostly in areas where illegal informal structures are built.

Where people have connected themselves illegally, George Municipality will continue to actively find the perpetrators and lay criminal charges against them. In terms of the Criminal Procedures Act, interference with and the damage to Municipal property, could be regarded as sabotage and should someone be found guilty of such an offence, a maximum term of imprisonment can follow.

Illegal connections should be reported to 044 803 9222 or 044 801 9222 or after hours on 044 801 6300.

GO GEORGE appeals to passengers to stay cautious
Issued 26 Oct 2020

With a 196% increase in Covid-19 cases in the Garden Route in recent weeks, GO GEORGE is making an urgent appeal to bus passengers to adhere to the Covid-19 safety regulations regarding public transport and not to drop their guard at this stage.
Garden Route District Director for Health, Zee Brickles, issued a statement last week announcing the rise in infections, cautioning about a possible second wave.
“It has been seven long months of lockdown and the natural reaction to the easing up of these restrictions are to catch up on all that we have missed out on over the past months but we can’t become complacent now. It has always been feared that when the lockdown restrictions ease up, the infection rate would increase,” Brickles said.
No mask, no entry
According to James Robb, GO GEORGE Manager, the relaxed vigilance of bus passengers has also been noticeable ever since Level 1 of the lockdown had been announced. “Passengers either attempt to board the bus without masks, or they take them off once they’re seated. Very few wear the mask over their mouth as well as nose, which is crucial for effective protection,” he said. “We appeal to them to act responsibly, for their own sake as well as that of co-passengers and bus drivers. A passenger without a mask will not be allowed on a GO GEORGE bus and should not reason with our bus drivers about that.”
GO GEORGE has embarked on a campaign to encourage passengers to remain alert and to get their cooperation in keeping to the basic safety measures, emphasising the wearing of a mask in a proper way, sanitising and washing hands, keeping a safe distance, keeping the bus windows open and not travelling on the bus unnecessarily or when sick, and coughing or sneezing into a bent elbow.
GO GEORGE passenger service staff are engaging with passengers at bus stops, the Transport Hub and on the buses to remind them of the importance of continued adherence to the safety measures. Supportive media campaigns have also been employed to enhance the message: The pandemic is not over yet – stay vigilant!
CAPTION:
GO GEORGE champion Dieketseng Mosesane (right) demonstrates to Dorette Salmans how to use the on-board sanitiser pump when she boards the bus. Champions currently also emphasise the importance of wearing a face mask in the proper way, covering the wearer’s nose as well.

GO GEORGE doen ‘n beroep op passasiers om versigtig te bly
Uitgereik 26 Okt 2020

Met ‘n 196%-toename in Covid-19-gevalle in die Tuinroete die afgelope weke, doen GO GEORGE ‘n dringende beroep op buspassasiers om aan die Covid-19-veiligheidsregulasies rakende openbare vervoer gehoor te gee en nie in hierdie stadium hul waaksaamheid te verslap nie.
Die Garden Route-distriksmunisipaliteit se direkteur van gesondheid, Zee Brickles, het verlede week ‘n verklaring uitgereik oor die styging in infeksies met ‘n waarskuwing oor ‘n moontlike tweede golf.
“Dit was sewe lang maande van inperking en die natuurlike reaksie op die verligting van hierdie beperkings is om alles in te haal wat ons die afgelope maande misgeloop het, maar ons kan nie nou gerus word nie. Die vrees was nog altyd daar dat wanneer die inperkings verslap word, die infeksiekoers sal toeneem,” het Brickles gesê.
Geen masker, geen toegang
Volgens James Robb, GO GEORGE-bestuurder, is die verslapte waaksaamheid van buspassasiers ook opvallend sedert vlak 1 van die inperking aangekondig is. “Passasiers probeer óf om sonder maskers op die bus te klim, óf hulle haal dit af sodra hulle gaan sit. Baie min dra die masker oor hul mond asook neus, wat noodsaaklik is vir doeltreffende beskerming,” het hy gesê. “Ons doen ‘n beroep op hulle om verantwoordelik op te tree, vir hul eie onthalwe asook dié van medepassasiers en busbestuurders. ‘n Passasier sonder ‘n masker sal nie op ‘n GO GEORGE-bus toegelaat word nie en moenie met ons busbestuurders daaroor redeneer nie.”
GO GEORGE het begin met ‘n veldtog om passasiers aan te moedig om steeds waaksaam te bly en hul samewerking te kry met die basiese veiligheidsmaatreëls: die dra van ‘n masker op die regte manier, ontsmetting en was van hande, ‘n veilige afstand tussen mense, die oophou van busvensters, om nie onnodig of wanneer jy siek is bus te ry nie, en in ‘n gebuigde elmboog te hoes en te nies.
GO GEORGE-passasiersdienspersoneel praat met passasiers by bushaltes, die vervoerkern (Hub) en op die busse om hulle te herinner aan die belangrikheid van voortgesette nakoming van die veiligheidsmaatreëls. Ondersteunende mediaveldtogte word ook gebruik om die boodskap te versterk: Die pandemie is nog nie verby nie – bly waaksaam!
ONDERSKRIF:
GO GEORGE-passasiersdiensbeampte Dieketseng Mosesane (regs) demonstreer aan Dorette Salmans hoe om die reinigerpompie in die bus te gebruik wanneer sy opklim. Passasiersdienspersoneel beklemtoon tans ook die belangrikheid daarvan om ‘n gesigmasker op die regte manier te dra, wat ook die draer se neus bedek.

George Municipality celebrated Global Handwashing Day at Klouter Kabouter

Captions: wash 1 – Willbedine Jordaan from Community Development demonstrates to the children at Klouter Kabouter how to wash their hands.

Wash2: Rub, rub, rub and wash, wash, wash your hands with soap and water to prevent diseases and be healthy.

Text: The George Municipality Community Development section celebrated Global Handwashing Day on 15 October 2020 at Klouter Kabouter creche in New Dawn Park, Pacaltsdorp.
Willbedine Jordaan from the section had a short information session with the children followed by a demonstration on the correct way of washing your hands. Each child of the 75 children, was given the opportunity to wash their hands the correct way and had their own bucket and hand towel. All the children are from two to six years old.
Each child also received a colouring-in picture depicting a boy washing his hands. Afterwards the each child also received a surprise packet to enjoy at home.
Jordaan said they promoted handwashing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives.
Dinah Maart, the principal at the crèche, were very happy with the initiative of the Municipality and thanked the team for choosing Klouter Kabouter for this significant day.

Ziyawamo Music Workshop is being held in George in collaboration with George Municipality.
According to Jonel Kerspuy from the George Municipality Youth Office, the workshop will concentrate on the business side of the music industry. Musicians, artists are usually very talented but lack the business skill to sell their music or make money with it, she said.
The workshop is meant to help musicians specifically with the ‘business’ of music, she said.
The workshop is FREE but limited to 50 people. We ask interested musicians to whatsapp 067 961 9211 or 062 378 3091 to register.
The workshop is being held at the Market Theatre, Doneraile Square (right next to the George Youth Café) on Friday, 30 October from 09h00 to 13h00.
Ikapa Lodumo Entertainment who will be presenting the Ziyawamo Music Workshop says they are proud to welcome back Redbull energy drink as their official beverage partner. Redbull has been part of #ZMW2020 since the first workshop in January.
Registration is officially open for the George leg of the #ZMW2020.
Mzura Khuse spokesperson for the company said “we are also more than excited with the level of support we have been receiving from George Youth office and have a 24 months partnership agreement, meaning we will bring more Arts programmes into this beautiful town and will do whatever within our power to assist them in developing their youth in creative space, not just music.

GO GEORGE passenger survey to be undertaken during Transport Month

An independent GO GEORGE user survey to measure the socio-economic and funding impact of the public transport system will be conducted all over George from 19 October until 13 November 2020. According to James Robb, GO GEORGE Manager, the study will be compared with previous studies to determine the actual impact of the system in George.
“Feedback from our passengers has always been and will remain core to our planning and improvement of the system. We can plan and implement with all the data at our disposal, but we need to know whether we are meeting our communities’ needs and whether the bus service is improving quality of life and access to economic opportunities. That is what the George Integrated Public Transport Network (GIPTN) is all about,” Robb said.
The planned survey is a continuation of an independent socio-economic study undertaken in George in 2018 and 2019 under the joint auspices of the Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works and the George Municipality. This was 10 years after a baseline study – including an economic efficiency assessment, macro-economic analysis and a socio-economic survey for the introduction of scheduled public transport services in George – had been undertaken. There was a need to measure it again in 2018, and to compare it with the previous studies to determine actual impact for future evaluation. This was followed up in 2019 and now again in 2020 with user surveys.

Independent trained surveyors with appropriate identification cards will be stationed at bus stops to conduct the survey by using a survey App. More information can be obtained by phoning the GO GEORGE Call Centre at 0800 044 044.

CAPTION:
The independent team of surveyors was deployed at the Blanco terminus on Monday to ask GO GEORGE passengers’ opinion on their use and experience of the bus service. Here Mauchan Koelman (right) works through their questionnaire with Winnie Smith from Parkdene. Left is Zola Bityi, a GO GEORGE champion awaiting her turn to inform Winnie about the new schedule for mobile Smart Card vehicles.

GO GEORGE-passasiers se mening gevra gedurende Vervoermaand

‘n Onafhanklike GO GEORGE-gebruikersopname om die sosio-ekonomiese en befondsingsimpak van die openbare vervoerstelsel te meet, sal van 19 Oktober tot 13 November 2020 regoor George gedoen word. Volgens James Robb, GO GEORGE- bestuurder, sal die studie vergelyk word met vorige studies om die werklike impak van die stelsel in George te bepaal.

“Terugvoer van ons passasiers was nog altyd die kern van ons beplanning en verbetering van die stelsel. Ons kan beplan en implementeer met al die data tot ons beskikking, maar ons moet weet of ons aan ons gemeenskappe se behoeftes voldoen en of die busdiens lewensgehalte en toegang tot ekonomiese geleenthede verbeter. Dit is waaroor die George Geïntegreerde Openbare Vervoernetwerk (GIPTN) gaan,” het Robb gesê.

Die beplande opname is ‘n voortsetting van ‘n onafhanklike sosio-ekonomiese studie wat in 2018 en 2019 in George onderneem is onder die leiding van die Wes-Kaapse Departement van Vervoer en Openbare Werke en die George-munisipaliteit. Dit was 10 jaar nadat ‘n grondstudie – insluitende ‘n ekonomiese doeltreffendheidsbepaling, makro-ekonomiese analise en ‘n sosio-ekonomiese opname vir die instelling van geskeduleerde openbare vervoerdienste in George – onderneem is. Daar was ‘n behoefte om dit weer te meet in 2018 en om dit te vergelyk met die vorige studies om werklike impak vir toekomstige evaluering te bepaal. Dit is in 2019 en nou weer in 2020 opgevolg met gebruikersopnames.

Onafhanklike, opgeleide data-opnemers met toepaslike identifikasiekaarte sal by bushaltes geplaas word om die opname deur middel van ‘n opname-toepassing (app) te doen. Meer inligting kan verkry word deur die GO GEORGE-inbelsentrum by 0800 044 044 te skakel.

ONDERSKRIF:
Die onafhanklike span data-opnemers is Maandag by die Blanco-terminus ontplooi om GO GEORGE-passasiers se mening te vra oor hul gebruik en belewenis van die busdiens. Hier werk Mauchan Koelman (regs) deur hul vraelys met Winnie Smith van Parkdene. Links is Zola Bityi, ‘n GO GEORGE-passasiersbeampte wat haar beurt afwag om Winnie oor die nuwe skedule vir mobiele Slimkaartvoertuie in te lig.

After months of uncertainty and frustrations linked to the Covid-19 lockdown, things are looking up for local tourism as holiday season bookings for accommodation establishments in George and surrounds are filling up quickly.

George Tourism Manager Joan Shaw said its members in George, Wilderness and Uniondale had reported a significant increase in bookings over the past two weeks. “The phone in Wilderness Tourism office in particular has not stopped ringing and the establishments that are members of George Tourism in the village are already fully booked for December high season as per the Covid-19 capacity restrictions.
“We invite all accommodation and associated businesses to become members, free of charge, to take full advantage of the benefits that membership offers – and to let us know their capacity rates so we can send enquiries their way.

“The lockdown months have been really tough on tourism and related industries, but the recent surge in bookings are really encouraging and we anticipate a busier season than was initially anticipated. Local establishments are really excited about incoming visitors from all over the country and remain committed to uphold Covid-19 protocols to limit the spread of the virus.

“George and surrounds boast some of the most spectacular outdoor spots in the world that offer more than enough social distancing, fresh clean air and the friendliest people – albeit behind a mask and a sanitising bottle!

“After one of the most challenging years in recent history, everyone deserves a break – George Tourism is ready to receive you,” said Ms Shaw.

Tourism and related industries in George and surrounds, the Garden Route, Southern Cape and beyond are invited to become members as soon as possible to take advantage of the associated benefits. These include:
• Brochure placement at George Tourism information offices.
• Inclusion on the information lists that are distributed to potential tourists, tourism operators and trade.
• Lead and booking referrals generated at the George Tourism information offices in George, Wilderness and Uniondale as well as George Tourism social media platforms, its website, trade enquiries or other relevant platforms.
• Business listing on the George Tourism website.
• Events calendar listing where appropriate.
• Social media inclusion where appropriate and subject to editorial team.
• Access to networking opportunities.
• Destination marketing.
• Destination statistics.
• Tourism educational participation subject to selection.
• Trade show opportunities subject to selection.
• Official communications from Local Tourism Organisations (LTOs).
• Access to Tourism staff for advice and insights.

To become a member, please mail George Tourism on info@visitgeorge.co.za or ccarelse@george.gov.za or phone 044 801 9295.

The George Municipality’s annual street name replacement programme is well underway. Among name boards recently replaced are the interconnecting streets in Caledon Street, which had been removed by the municipality prior to roadworks and replaced with a new type of street name plate, which will be used across the city to systematically standardise street names across the municipal area. This year’s street name replacement included boards for Pacaltsdorp, Conville, Borchards, Denneoord, Loeriepark, Parkdene, Rosemoor, Levallia and Blanco. The municipality is currently erecting street name boards in Uniondale and Haarlem.

Report street sign-related matters to 044 801 9262/6 during office hours.

GO GEORGE refines mobile schedule for Smart Card users
Issued 13 Oct 2020

GO GEORGE has announced refinements to their current Smart Card mobile vehicle schedule to benefit passengers who are not within easy reach of fixed top-up facilities.
The Smart Card is currently the only means of payment for trips since the adoption of a no-cash policy in June this year as one of the bus service’s Covid-19 precautions. Passengers can top up their cards with trips at any of the fixed Smart Card kiosks or businesses/individuals registered as top-up vendors, or at one of the two Smart Card vehicles that travel and park around town on a fixed weekly schedule.
According to James Robb, GO GEORGE Manager, the uneven distribution of vendors in the various areas of town has prompted the revision of the mobile vehicle schedule. “We are currently engaged in a vendor recruitment campaign to address the needs of passengers in all areas but in the meantime, we have assessed the sales figures of all mobile locations and balancing that with areas with a low vendor footprint, we have come up with a schedule that we trust will serve passengers better.”
The new schedule will be implemented on Wednesday 21 October 2020.
Robb says passengers frequently ask when and whether the service will be returning to the option of cash as alternative to using the Smart Card. “Research results released just this week, indicate that the virus can survive for as long as 28 days on hard surfaces such as glass and metal as well as paper bank notes. It was previously thought that the survival period was much shorter. Therefore, we would much rather make plans to take the top-up service to our passengers than risking their health as well as that of our bus drivers who would have to handle the cash.”
The GO GEORGE communication champions will be distributing flyers with the new schedule from Wednesday 14 October. The flyers will also be available at all Smart Card kiosks and mobile vehicles, as well as the info kiosk at the Transport Hub. Passengers can also visit the GO GEORGE Facebook page for the mobile schedule and the latest bus-related news, the website www.gogeorge.org.za, write an email to info@gogeorge.org.za, or phone the Call Centre on 0800 044 044 to enquire about their closest mobile spot.

CAPTION:
The Smart Card mobile vehicles are clearly branded and cannot be missed where they park for about three hours at a time to render service to passengers who do not have close access to other top-up points. The vehicles also sell Smart Cards.

GO GEORGE verfyn mobiele skedule vir Slimkaartgebruikers
Uitgereik 13 Okt 2020

GO GEORGE het verfynings aan hul huidige skedule vir mobiele Slimkaartvoertuie aangekondig om passasiers wat nie binne maklike bereik van vaste herlaaifasiliteite is nie, te akkommodeer.
Die Slimkaart is tans die enigste manier van betaling vir ritte sedert die aanvaarding van ‘n geen-kontantbeleid in Junie vanjaar as een van die busdiens se Covid-19-voorsorgmaatreëls. Passasiers kan hul kaarte met ritte herlaai by enige van die vaste Slimkaartkiosks of besighede / individue wat as herlaaipunte geregistreer is, of by een van die twee Slimkaartvoertuie wat deur die dorp rondbeweeg en parkeer volgens ‘n vaste weeklikse skedule.
Volgens James Robb, GO GEORGE-bestuurder, het die oneweredige verspreiding van herlaaipunte in die verskillende gebiede van die dorp die hersiening van die mobiele skedule genoodsaak. “Ons is tans besig met ‘n werwingsveldtog vir mense en sakeondernemings wat as herlaaipunte kan registreer, juis om die behoeftes van passasiers in alle gebiede aan te spreek. Intussen het ons die verkoopsyfers van alle mobiele parkeerplekke ontleed en opgeweeg teen gebiede met ‘n lae voetspoor van herlaaipunte, en ‘n nuwe skedule opgestel waarby ons werklik vertrou ons passasiers sal baat vind.”
Die nuwe skedule sal op Woensdag 21 Oktober 2020 geïmplementeer word.
Robb sê passasiers vra gereeld wanneer en of die diens sal terugkeer na die opsie van kontant as alternatief vir die gebruik van die Slimkaart. “Navorsingsresultate wat vandeesweek vrygestel is, dui aan dat die virus vir so lank as 28 dae op harde oppervlakke soos glas en metaal asook papierbanknote kan oorleef. Daar is voorheen gemeen dat die oorlewingstydperk baie korter is. Daarom sal ons eerder planne maak om die herlaaidiens na ons passasiers toe te neem as om hul gesondheid sowel as dié van ons busbestuurders wat die kontant sal moet hanteer, te waag.”
Die GO GEORGE-passasiersdiensbeamptes sal vanaf Woensdag 14 Oktober pamflette met die nuwe skedule versprei. Die pamflette sal ook by alle Slimkaartkiosks en -mobiele voertuie beskikbaar wees, asook die inligtingskiosk by die Vervoerkern (Transport Hub). Passasiers kan ook die GO GEORGE Facebook-blad besoek vir die mobiele skedule en die nuutste busverwante nuus, na die webwerf www.gogeorge.org.za gaan, ‘n e-pos skryf aan info@gogeorge.org.za, of die inbelsentrum by 0800 044 044 skakel om navraag te doen oor hul naaste mobiele dienspunt.

ONDERSKRIF:
Die Slimkaartvoertuie is duidelik gebrandmerk en kan nie misgekyk word waar hulle vir omtrent drie ure op ‘n slag parkeer om diens te lewer aan passasiers wat nie nabye toegang tot ander herlaaipunte het nie. Die voertuie verkoop ook Slimkaarte.

Excitement is growing as the Garden Route Dam is filling up towards its new capacity following the raising of the dam wall and completion of its new spillway last December (2019).

George Municipality Director Civil Engineering Regenald Wesso said the dam level had not risen above its previous capacity since the spillway project was completed, but recent abundant rainfall had filled the dam up relatively quickly and reached its ‘old’ 100 percent capacity today (7 October 2020). “Everything from here upwards is new territory and we are excited to see the real capacity of the dam – the expected additional capacity is 20% but will be confirmed with a new calibration in due course.”

The process of appointing a service provider to do the calibration is underway. In the meantime, locals are keeping a close eye on the rising dam level as more rain is expected this week and for the summer. The dam level has risen by more than 20% (from 78,76% to 100%) since the first week in September and 141,8mm rainfall has been recorded from 2 September until today.

The previous capacity of the dam was 10 million cubic metres. The new estimated capacity is 12,5 milion cubic metres.

It is unknown how quickly the additional dam capacity will fill up, especially taking into consideration that the ‘new’ top edge of the dam is wider and the incline flatter than before. “We are nonetheless grateful for a good rainy season and the additional capacity our dam will hold to support sustainable water management of our fast-growing city,” said Mr Wesso.

George Municipal Manager Trevor Botha said although the current water situation was a great relief, the municipality remained mindful of the bigger picture and would continue to promote long-term water security.

“The city will continue to promote water saving and will not forget that our dam level had dropped to 41.21% during the height of the previous drought in September 2017. Water restrictions are expected to remain at its current Level 2B for the foreseeable future – restrictions promote a mindset change that is globally supported: drinkable water from a tap is a privilege that should be respected and is not guaranteed. Population growth, climate change and economic challenges are just some of the factors that will affect potable household water supply in all nations in the foreseeable future.

“While the George municipality understands that citizens feel it is their right to use the water they have helped save, national and global water issues are bigger than us. We have been blessed by rains and our dam is reaching new heights, but we must do the right thing and that is cultivating a permanent lifestyle of water conservation,” said Mr Botha.

Caption
The Garden Route Dam, photographed in January 2020 when the dam level was at 100% of the ‘old’ capacity. The duckbill-shaped spillway (foreground) and raised dam wall (right) were completed the month before. When the water spills over the cement spillway in the foreground, the dam will be considered 100% full at its ‘new’ capacity.

The construction of the 700 top structures is in the final stage (Consolidation, Building of top structures) in Phase One of Upgrading of Informal Settlements Programme (UISP) in Thembalethu. This project was made possible by Western Cape Provincial funding with George Municipality acting as the agent.

Lawula and Marnol JV (Joint Venture) contractors were appointed for the construction of 603 of the 700 top structures in this project and Nokhanyo Services for the remaining 97 top structures in terms of the approved subsidy quantum. Twenty-five houses were handed over to proud owners in the past four weeks.
The Enhanced People’s Housing Process (EPHP) Housing Programme was the housing delivery programme implemented in this project. With the EPHP programme, beneficiaries are provided an opportunity to be involved in the planning with regards to their homes including the selection of which contractor they preferred. Houses either with or without a patio could be selected.

Phase One of the UISP commenced on 27th February 2017. A total of 638 houses have been built and handed over to date. Following the relaxation of the lockdown levels, the contractor and Marnol JV (Joint Venture) have commenced with the completion of the rest of the homes where the erven was previously utilised as a Temporary Relocation Area during the construction process.

There are a total of 62 houses which need to be built to bring Phase One of the UISP top structure project to a close. Once the construction of the 700 top structures is completed, no further work will be done except on those houses which are in the retention phase. The retention period is that in which defects can be reported, within three months after the house has been handed over and defects must be corrected by the responsible contractor.

The George Municipality continues to feed communities through its longstanding soup kitchens programme.

The 137 soup kitchens, which operate from private homes in vulnerable communities across the municipal area, were the backbone of feeding programmes throughout the height of the Covid-19 lockdown period, serving up to 22 000 meals twice a day.

George Municipality Director Community Services Walter Hendricks said the soup kitchen programme had recently returned to its normal operations. “We currently serve 8000 meals a week to mostly children and the elderly three times a week. Covid-19 protocols remain in place at soup kitchens for as long as is necessary.

“The ongoing success of the municipality feeding scheme is proof of the extraordinary people who work and live here – from dedicated staff who run the day-to-day logistics to the people who selflessly host soup kitchens in their homes and volunteers who serve there every day, no matter the circumstances.

“The support from individuals, businesses and NGOs who had generously donated food during lockdown will always be remembered and we thank them again for their role in feeding our people. Individuals and organisations that want to continue supporting soup kitchens can drop off food and supplies at the municipality’s Community Development offices or phone the number below.”

Soup kitchen enquiries: 044 802 2000

Food and supplies donation deliveries to:
George Municipality Community Development offices (8am-4pm)
c/o Varing and St Johns Streets (diagonally behind main building)

Caption
Olivia Swiegelaar serves food at the municipal soup kitchen in Wilderness Heights which she and her partner Colin Wildemans run from their home.

The heavy rainfall experienced this week and that which is expected this weekend in the George area raises the ongoing complication our Civil Engineering Services directorate has to deal with – that is the illegal dumping of material into stormwater drains. Overflowing storm water drains are generally found to be blocked by illegal materials and rubbish dumped directly into the drain causing damage and flooding down the line.

Please help reduce blocked drains and how to report illegal dumping:
One of the main reasons for blocked drains and sewerage spills is the wrong stuff being flushed down toilets or thrown into manholes. Items that should not be flushed down toilets include baby nappies, sanitary pads and tampons, newspaper, cloth and fabric, fatty food or fat. Regular items that municipal staff have to clear from manholes include branches, tyres, rocks, mattresses and other solid items which are suspected to be dropped in there by mainly children getting up to mischief.

The municipality appeals to communities to NOT flush unsuitable items down the toilet, and to help prevent people from throwing stuff down manholes. Report sewerage complaints to Civil Engineering Services on 044 801 9262/66 during office hours or 044 801 6300 after hours.

Please spread the news in your community that the dumping of waste is dangerous and a health hazard. Waste should be collected in refuse bags and placed for collection on your areas waste removal days. Builders rubble and waste not suitable for bags must be dropped at the municipal refuse site on the R102 (airport road).

If you can provide names, vehicle registration details or addresses of alleged perpetrators and are willing to make a statement in this regard, please report illegal dumping to Law Enforcement at 044 801 6350 or sprins@george.gov.za. You don’t need a photograph of the perpetrator, but it will strengthen the case for a warning or fine to be issued.

If you notice dumped waste, please report for collection to 044 802 2900.

Emergency After Hours Number 044 801 6300

Joan Shaw, George Tourism Manager, (front left) with Clinton Petersen (Town Planning), Stephen Saunders (Building Control) and Delia Power (Acting Director: Planning and Development donated and planted a White Stinkwood tree on 18 September in celebration of Arbor Week which was from 1 – 7 September 2020 at the Garden Route Botanical Garden in George. A total of 143 trees were planted in the garden on the day in celebrating Arbor Week in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), as the custodian of forestry in South Africa, that is responsible for the campaign and more organisations.