Notice Archive

JUNE 2026 Newsletter Now Available – Ensure You’re Up to Date on Approved Budget Matters and Water Restrictions
JUNIE 2026 Nuusbrief Nou Beskikbaar – Bly Op Hoogte van Goedgekeurde Begrotingsaangeleenthede en Waterbeperkings

https://www.george.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/GM-NEWSLETTER-VOL-82-JUNE-2026.pdf

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Level 2B Water Restrictions Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | Vlak 2B-waterbeperkings: Gereelde Vrae (GV)

George Municipality has published an updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document as part of its ongoing Water Conservation Campaign. | George Munisipaliteit het ‘n opgedateerde dokument met Gereelde Vrae (GV) gepubliseer as deel van sy voortgesette Waterbesparingsveldtog.

The FAQ provides clear information on the current water situation, the recently eased Level 2B Water Demand Management Measures, and the lifting of Level 3 Emergency Water Tariffs. | Die dokument verskaf duidelike inligting oor die huidige watersituasie, die onlangs verslapte Vlak 2B-waterverbruiksbestuursmaatreëls, asook die opheffing van die Vlak 3-noodwatertariewe.

The document also explains why certain restrictions remain in place despite the recent recovery of dam levels and outlines how residents, businesses, and institutions can continue using water responsibly to protect George’s long-term water security. | Die dokument verduidelik ook waarom sekere beperkings steeds van krag bly ten spyte van die onlangse herstel in damvlakke, en sit uiteen hoe inwoners, besighede en instellings water steeds verantwoordelik kan gebruik om George se langtermyn-watersekerheid te beskerm.

Residents, businesses, media, and stakeholders are encouraged to read the full FAQ here. | Inwoners, besighede, die media en ander belanghebbendes word aangemoedig om die volledige dokument hier te lees.

For more information on water restrictions and water-saving tips, visit the link below. | Vir meer inligting oor waterbeperkings en wenke om water te bespaar, besoek die onderstaande skakel.

Follow this link for all three languages / Volg hierdie skakel vir al drie tale:
https://www.george.gov.za/george-document/gm-2b-water-restrictions-english_afrikaans_isixhosa/

NO LIFEGUARDS ON THE BEACHES from 7 April 2026
Issued by George Municipality, 24 June 2026

As of 7 April 2026, until 30 November 2026, the public is advised that there will be no lifeguards deployed at any of the beaches.

Beaches and swimming pools that fall under the George Municipality’s jurisdiction
Wilderness Main Beach
Wilderness Lagoon
Wilderness Steps
Wilderness Lientjiesklip
Victoria Bay Beach
Gwaing River Mouth Beach and Day Camp

Herold’s Bay Beach and Tidal Pool
Conville Municipal Swimming Pool
Uniondale Municipal Swimming Pool
Essential phone numbers to keep close.

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Station 23 at Wilderness Beach supports the municipality. The NSRI can be reached on 082 990 5955.

EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS
GEORGE
Toll-Free Disaster Management (24/07) 0800 424 477
Fire Emergencies (24/7) 044 801 6311
After Hours 044 801 6300

How can people keep themselves safe and protected on the beach and in the water?

•Learning to swim is the best defence against drowning. Teach children to swim at an early age. Children who are not taught when they are very young tend to avoid swim instruction as they age, probably due to embarrassment. Swimming instruction is a crucial step in protecting children from injury or death.

•Do not swim while under the influence of Alcohol or heavy sedation medication.

•Swim with a buddy. Many drownings involve single swimmers. When you swim with a buddy if one of you has a problem the other may be able to help, including signalling for assistance from others. At least have someone onshore watching you.

* Use sunscreen and drink water: Everyone loves a sunny day, but exposure to the sun affects your body. Without sunscreen, you can be seriously burned. The sun’s rays can also cause life-long skin damage and skin cancer. To protect yourself always choose “broad spectrum” sunscreen rated from 15 to 50 SPF, or clothing that covers your skin, and reapply sunscreen regularly throughout the day. The sun can also dehydrate you quickly. Drink lots of water and avoid alcohol, which contributes to dehydration.

* Keep the Beach and Water Clean. Nobody likes to see the beach or water littered with trash. Even in places where beach cleaning services pick up trash daily, it may linger on the beach for hours, causing an unsightly mess and threatening the health of birds and animals. Broken glass also poses a great risk of injury to beach users. Do your part. Pick up after yourself and even others. Everyone will appreciate you for it.

* Learn Rip Current Safety. 80% of rescues at ocean beaches are caused by rip currents. These currents are formed by surf and gravity because once surf pushes water up the slope of the beach, gravity pulls it back. This can create concentrated rivers of water moving offshore. Some people mistakenly call this an undertow, but there is no undercurrent, just an offshore current. If you are caught in a rip current, don’t fight it by trying to swim directly to shore. Instead, swim parallel to shore until you feel the current relax, then swim to shore. Most rip currents are narrow and a short swim parallel to shore will bring you to safety.

* Enter Water Feet First. Serious, lifelong injuries, including paraplegia, occur every year due to diving headfirst into unknown water and striking the bottom. Bodysurfing can result in a serious neck injury when the swimmer’s neck strikes the bottom. Check for depth and obstructions before diving, then go in feet first the first time; and use caution while bodysurfing, always extending a hand ahead of you. Be careful even at the swimming pool.

* Wear a Life Jacket when on Watercrafts. Some 80% of fatalities associated with boating accidents are from drowning. Most involve people who never expected to end up in the water but fell overboard or ended up in the water when the boat sank. Children are particularly at risk and should wear life jackets whenever they are aboard boats.

PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS
As of 8 April 2026, until 30 November 2026, the municipal public swimming pools will be CLOSED.

For enquiries/bookings: Conville Swimming Pool on 044 801 9488

For enquiries/Bookings: Uniondale Swimming Pool on 044-8019020 / 044 7521024 (Uniondale Office)

Contact persons: Mr J Bruinders Email: jbruinders@george.gov.za – Senior Clerk Sport Development OR
Ms LY Botha Email lybotha@george.gov.za – Sport Development Officer

NSRI – STATION 23, Wilderness
NSRI – Pacaltsdorp – Wednesday, 24 June. A man is missing:

Jonathan Britton, NSRI Wilderness station commander, said:

At 12h49, Tuesday, 23 June, NSRI Wilderness duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning in progress along the shoreline, near Pacaltsdorp, between Victoria Bay and Herolds Bay.

NSRI Wilderness rescue swimmers responded directly to the scene while NSRI crew responded to Herolds Bay where the NSRI rescue craft V’s Rescuer was launched.

The SA Police Services, George Fire and Rescue Services, ER24 ambulance services and WC Government Health EMS rescue squad responded.

On arrival on the scene a search commenced for a 20 year old male, from George.

It appears that a group of young men, friends, 2 of them are cousins, were fishing (angling) along the shoreline when the young man was reportedly swept off rocks by waves. One of them had run to a local nearby resort where residents at the resort raised the alarm.

A George Fire and Rescue Services JetRIB rescue craft joined the NSRI rescue craft in a sea search while an EMS rescue squad drone unit conducted an aerial search.

Police (WPDS) Water Policing and Diving Services were activated and joined in the search.

Despite an extensive sea, air and shoreline search there remains no signs of the missing man.

Police have opened an investigation.

Police divers (WPDS) are continuing in ongoing search efforts.

Thoughts and care are with family and friends of the missing man in this difficult time.

In the wake of three successive weather-related incidents that have affected George over the past month, George Municipality has enhanced public access to emergency services by introducing a dedicated toll-free emergency number, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The new toll-free emergency number is 0800 424 477 and replaces the previous emergency number, 087 152 999.

In addition, the George Fire Services contact number, which was previously shared with other emergency services, is now dedicated exclusively to fire emergencies.

Given the impact of recent weather-related events on outlying areas, the Municipality has strengthened emergency communication channels for Uniondale and Haarlem with dedicated Fire Services and emergency reporting numbers.

These developments demonstrate the Municipality’s commitment to improving access to information, strengthening emergency communication, and enhancing rapid response and service delivery.

EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS
GEORGE
Toll-Free Disaster Management (24/07) 0800 424 477
Fire Emergencies (24/7) 044 801 6311
After Hours 044 801 6300

UNIONDALE & HAARLEM
Uniondale/Haarlem Emergency Only 044 801 9189
Uniondale/Haarlem Fire Service (07:45-16:30) 044 752 1225
Uniondale/Haarlem After Hours 044 801 6300

Residents are encouraged to save these numbers and share them with family members, neighbours, community groups, and businesses.