Democracy Bus Visits George to Celebrate 30 Years of Democracy
Democracy Bus visits George…From left: Andre Scheepers (BFI Projects Manager in the George Municipality, Ald Jackie von Brandis (Executive Mayor), Cllr Browen Johnson (MMC for Civil Engineering in the George Municipality), Jethro Grootboom (Regional Communication Coordinator for Garden Route & Overberg Districts and Ndiphiwe Prince Madikizela (Technician for BFI Projects in the George Municipality).
On Thursday, 15 August 2024, the Democracy Bus, which travels across South Africa to celebrate 30 years of democracy, made a significant stop in George. The bus visited one of George Municipality’s key infrastructural projects—the construction of the new Water Treatment Works in Denneoord—to showcase the municipality’s contributions to the nation’s democratic journey.
The Executive Mayor of George, Ald Jackie von Brandis, accompanied by the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Civil Engineering Services, Councillor Browen Johnson, boarded the Democracy Bus from the Municipal Headquarters in York Street. The destination was the New Water Treatment Works in Denneoord, where they participated in a walkabout to highlight the Municipality’s achievements over the past 30 years. The event was organised by the Government Communication Information System (GCIS), represented by Jethro Grootboom, Regional Communications Coordinator for the Garden Route & Overberg Districts.
“This afternoon, we had the distinct pleasure of boarding the Democracy Bus alongside our colleagues from GCIS Western Cape,” said Mayor von Brandis. “As we celebrate our country’s 30-year milestone of democracy, we also reflect on the freedoms and progress that have accompanied it.”
Referring to the BFI project, von Brandis added: “This project is a prime example of the benefits that 30 years of democracy have brought us. It’s an absolute privilege to have the Democracy Bus here in George, celebrating 30 years of Democracy. The National Treasury and the Department of Water Affairs (DWS)support ensures that we can continue to provide essential services to all our residents for the next 30 years and beyond.”
MMC Johnson echoed the Mayor’s gratitude for the BFI Projects, emphasising the projects’ significance in light of recent Stats SA data showing an approximate population growth of 100,000 in the City of George. “These projects are vital for accommodating George’s ongoing development and ensuring water security for at least the next 40 years,” said Cllr Johnson.
The Municipality’s Civil Engineering Services Project Manager for BFI, Andre Scheepers, provided an in-depth overview of BFI project consisting of 12 sub-projects and specifically the New Water Treatment Works Project. This project, supported by a grant of up to R1.115 billion, has enabled the Municipality to undertake several critical initiatives, including:
• Improvements to the existing 20 Ml/d Water Treatment Works in Denneoord
• The new 20 Ml/d Water Treatment Works (WTW) and Residuals Treatment Facility
• Refurbishment of the Sludge Discharge System, Phase 1 and 2
• Upgrading of the Garden Route Dam Outlet and Supply
• Installation of 2x 1250 kVA generators at the Garden Route raw water pump station
• Construction of an additional 40-million-litre raw water storage and balancing dam
• The 14.5 Ml Pacaltsdorp West Reservoir and Pump Station
• The new 3 Ml Pacaltsdorp East Reservoir, 300 kl Tower, and Pump Station
• Construction of a new pump station and control valves at the existing Thembalethu West Reservoir and Tower
• A new 8 Ml Thembalethu East Reservoir, 1000 kl Tower, and Pump Station
Jethro Grootboom expressed his gratitude to the George Municipality for its hospitality and commitment to showcasing the progress achieved in the George area.
The George Municipality extends its thanks to the National Treasury and the Department of Water and Sanitation for entrusting it with this grant funding, and to GCIS for organising the visit to our Water Treatment Plant. The event was streamed live on Eden FM’s Facebook page, courtesy of GCIS.
