George Landbou Skou Raad het Donderdag 20 Februarie 2020 ‘n spog verjaar en bekendstelling geleentheid aangebied om George Landbou Skou se 160 bestaan’s jaar te vier.Die geleentheid was verteenwoordig deur Borge, Boere en vriende van die Skou. Mnr Memory Booysen uitvoerende burgemeester van die Eden-distrik-munisipaliteit het in sy toespraak kern punte aangeraak soos: Hy het die grootste eer vir die boere, en van 9 provinsies is die Wes-Kaap ‘n eiland, want die Wes-Kaap doen alles anders as die res, wat gebeur in die landbou in die Wes-Kaap? Mnr Memory Booysen het die varsmarkte in Johannesburg besoek en was verbaas 02h00 in die oggend, toe die aflewerings voertuie daar aankom om vars plaas produkte af te lewer dat die meerderheid van die voertuie met CAW registrasie no daar is om produkte af te lewer. En Johanesburg het erken dat die meeste produkte afkomstig is van die Wes-Kaap, die grootste gedeelte van die gdp kom van Wes-Kaap Landbou. Die regering is besig om ook nou na ‘n varsprodukte mark te kyk in George. Hy het ook gesê dat die Wes-Kaap regering teen die onteiening van grond is en gaan dit nie toelaat in die Wes-Kaap nie.Cornê Botha het ook onderhoude gevoer met van die boere van Toka tot Nou!! om die gehoor net die agtergrond te gee van die boere van Toeka en die boer van Nou.By die spog geleentheid het Cllr Charlotte Clarke die uitvoerende onder burgemeester van George en Cllr Memory Booysen uitvoerende burgemeester van die Eden-distrik-munisipaliteit saam met CornéBotha President van George Landbouskou die koek gesny.Kyk laat ons dit nou maar vir mekaar sê: Volgens oorlewering vanaf die 1ste George Landbou Skou wat in 1860 aangebied is, spog die gemeenskap van George met ‘n Landbou Skou wat vanjaar die groot 160 jaar herdenking vier. Die skou behoort aan die gemeenskap en sonder die gemeenskap sou dit nie 160 jaar oud gewees het nie.‘n Beroep word gedoen op die hele George gemeenskap om die tyd van die viering 27-29 Augustus 2020 as Skou naweek te merk op die kalender. Die voortbestaan van die George Landbou Skou is soos enige iets in die lewe – soos ‘n saad wat gesaai word, ‘n persoonlike of sake verhouding, selfs ‘n droom – dit moet instand gehou en gekoester word om verder te kan groei. Daarom is dit belangrik, en nie slegs van die kommittee lede nie, maar elkeen wat ‘n rol speel – of dit in die sakesektor, finansiële sektor of Landbou is om by te dra tot die uitbouing van hierdie belangrike saak.Ons as Skouraadslede wil ‘n beroep op u doen om meer betrokke te raak deur die 2020 George Landbou Skou op te bou tot ‘n heerlike verjaarsdag-viering en die skou daarmee uitbou tot voordeel van almal.Die geleentheid rondom 2020 se George Landbou Skou is enorm, en is soos Goud in die grond wat ons net begin ontgin. Kom ons neem landbou, toerisme, jeug, local is lekker, ontwikkeling, want dit is waar ons groei is, en dit hou vir George ‘n groot finansiële voordeel in en die sneeubal effek gaan én het die afgelope 160 jaar groot finansiële implikasies vir George ingehou. Wees deel van die goue geleentheid om u besigheid te laat groei, te laat ontwikkel en ontgin saam met ons die goud van 160 jaar by 2020 George Landbou Skou.
The George Municipality takes pride in its association with the 18th annual Outeniqua Chair Challenge (OCC) which took place on Saturday (15 February 2020).Race organiser Alewijn Dippenaar hands over an OCC 2020 t-shirt to George Executive Deputy Mayor Charlotte Clarke during the official opening of the event on Friday. Picture: Desmond ScholtzIn addition to a substantial financial contribution, municipal staff and councillors were involved in everything from major logistical support to pushing wheelchairs.George Executive Deputy Mayor Charlotte Clarke said the OCC was an inspiring event that showcased the heart of the George community and its inherent compassion for the disabled. “While we are always proud of the top national and international athletes this event attracts, we love the spirit of the 5km fun ride in which able-bodied people push the chairs of nearly 800 disabled people who are just enthralled by the fun and excitement.GO GEORGE mascots Smartie and Georgie and staff cheered on race-goers with great enthusiasm. Picture: Desmond Scholtz“It is an extraordinary event in which disabled people, and those who love and support them, get an opportunity to celebrate life and be inspired. The George Municipality is blessed to be part of this event and hopes to remain involved indefinitely.“We have many dreams for our city to become more than just the host of the wheelchair race, and we are working towards a sports festival for people of all kinds of disabilities,” said Ms Clarke.More than 1000 disabled people participated in this year’s event, including top international stars such as Ernst van Dyk, Pieter du Preez and Stuart McCreadie, young and upcoming star Zach Legward and well-known RSG radio personality Martelize Brink. The race also had some international flavour with athletes from Namibia, Zimbabwe and Ghana.Pictures by Desmond and Athane Sholtz
Issued George Municipality, 18 February 2020Ballots Bay/Meulen RiverWater sample analysis results in the sea at Ballots Bay indicate levels well within acceptable levels for intermediate contact according to the Recreation Use Quality Guidelines issued by the Department Water Affairs – which means it is certified as safe for people who may be swimming, surfing and kayaking in this area. This information has been communicated to the Garden Route District Municipality, whose own processes will determine if further action is necessary. According to the water sample laboratory certificates, there seems to be no need to close any beaches, but it is up to the GRDM to make such determination and advise any responsible parties accordingly.Samples in the Meulen River and at the river mouth, however, did confirm sewerage contamination upstream from the sea but had subsequently been cleaned-up and should be 100% by the end of Monday (17th February). George Municipality Director Civil Engineering Regenald Wesso said the cause of sewerage spills upstream are blocked drains which are related to ongoing dumping of unwanted objects in sewerage lines for waste disposal and mischief. “Teams have been clearing sewerage lines along sections of sewerage pipes, mostly in Thembalethu, in which inappropriate objects have been dumped – these included blankets, branches, rocks, an old toilet seat, plastics and more.Victoria Bay CulvertResults of water testing taken at Victoria Bay culvert as well as in the waves in Victoria Bay have confirmed there were no markers that would suggest a sewerage spill into the sea at this point, and results were normal and within acceptable levels for recreational use. The municipality confirms that the organic stench the person posting last week’s video reported behind the Victoria Bay toilets may have also originated from nearby milkwood trees that gives off a stench when in bloom. The municipality has investigated the area to see if there was any other possible source of sewerage leak or other contamination, but has so far not identified any such leak or spill.
George Municipality herewith confirms that a spill has occurred on the Meulen River located on the outskirts of George, following a blockage on a sewerage main line and emergency procedures have been initiated. It was subsequently determined that the Meulen River (Ballots Bay) incident constitutes an Alert Level 2 response and the Civil Engineering Services directorate can therefore report that the incident has been contained and the required repairs will be completed by close of business on 14 February 2020. Any further decision making with regard to the adjacent beaches possibly affected will be taken by the Garden Route District Municipality who follow their own protocols and testing of the water before declaring it safe for swimming.Sewage spillages are not uncommon occurrences and municipalities, who are also Water Services Authorities are required to plan for such incidents accordingly. The George Wastewater Risk Abatement Plan (W2RAP) is an approach and methodology developed to provide a cost-effective and protective means of consistently assuring acceptable and safe wastewater treatment, through practical risk management, based on system assessments and effective operational monitoring and control. The primary objectives of the W2RAP are firstly; to prevent contamination during transport of wastewater, storage and disposal of sludge and secondly; to reduce or remove contamination through the treatment processes.In this instance, a sewage spillage was reported late afternoon on 12 February 2020 and according to the W2RAP, the municipality activated the waste water management incident protocol (W2IMP) that requires the Civil Engineering Services directorate to determine the alert level of the incident as follow:Alert level 1: No significant risk to health and the incident can be contained or controlled. Routine problems including minor disruptions to the waste water system and single sample non-compliances.Alert level 2: Potential risk to public health and/or environment. Minor emergencies, requiring additional sampling, process optimisation and reporting/communication of the problem. The root cause is identifiable but cannot be immediately contained and will last for approximately 24 hours. Management, Council and the Regulating Authority are notified. Emergency procedures have been initiated.Alert level 3: The impact of the incident is severe, it is a major emergency requiring significant interventions to minimize public health risk (Engagement of a designated Emergency Management Team). The root cause is not easily identifiable or easily contained or controlled. The impact of the incident has significant consequences and will last longer than 24 hours. Emergency procedures have been initiated.The W2RAP is primarily to mitigate potential risks and is a valuable primary risk management tool to enhance municipal wastewater service delivery. It encompasses all steps in the wastewater value chain, from production to discharge or reuse in a catchment. It focuses on public health and natural resource protection and addresses the most eminent hazards, risks and controls that may apply along the value chain.The table below shows the anticipated extent, impact, risks and actions to be taken in the event of a Level 2 alert. The W2RAP is part of the municipality’s Water Services Development Plan (WSDP), a public document available to the public.The Civil Engineering Services directorate encourages members of the public to report any sewage spillages as soon as possible due to the extent of the network in excess of 600km that their limited staff cannot monitor on a 24/7/365 basis. George Municipality would like to encourage members of the public to report such incidents or suspected incidents directly to the Civil Engineering Customer Services on 044 8029266 during work hours (07h45 – 16h30) and 044 801 6300 after hours. Alternatively report via the George Municipal App which can be downloaded via link https://george.comunity.me/d/george/
Dam level: 100% (unchanged from last week)Rainfall since 6 February: 0mmDemand/usage: 29.916 megalitres(Please note the Garden Route Dam must be recalibrated by the Department of Water Affairs following the raising of the spillway and dam wall. Until this process has been completed all readings are based on the previous spillway and dam wall height.)SECTION 2B WATER RESTRICTIONS CURRENTLY APPLY IN GEORGE AND SURROUNDS:
• Handheld watering of gardens using a hose using municipal water: even-numbered households Mondays and Thursdays, 7pm-9pm AND uneven-numbered households Tuesdays and Fridays, 7pm-9pm.
• Mechanical irrigation of gardens (sprayers) using municipal water is prohibited.
• Watering sports fields using municipal water is prohibited, except for golf course greens, bowling greens and cricket pitches, daily 7pm-9pm.
• Filling up of swimming pools using municipal water is prohibited.
• Washing cars with a hose using municipal water is prohibited (buckets allowed, rainwater encouraged), except for commercial car washes.
• Cleaning of outside surfaces using a hosepipe with municipal water is prohibited (buckets allowed, rainwater encouraged).
• “OWN WATER” signage must be displayed where applicable and must be proven on request by municipal officials.
• Applications for exemption of some restrictions may be considered on merit.Report water leaks and burst pipes to 044 801 9262 or after hours at 044 801 6300, as soon as you notice them.
Report contraventions of water restrictions on 0800 424 277. Fines may apply.Foto: George Munisipaliteit
GO GEORGE will be making temporary changes to certain routes to accommodate the Outeniqua Chair Challenge (OCC) on Saturday 15 February 2020.The impact of this annual event on the bus service is less this year, thanks to changes in the race route with the race village at Carpe Diem School in Lang Street. Following below is a summary of the affected routes.Route 9 Industrial Loop
All scheduled trips on this route, reverse trips included, will operate in the forward direction only, until 12:00. All stops on the side of the street serviced by the reverse route will be closed for the duration of the race.Route 13 City Loop F & R
Due to the closure of Union Street between Meade and York Streets until 12:30, 13 Forward will turn right into Meade Street from Union Street, left into Palgrave, left into York, and right into Plattner Blvd to continue as usual. Route 13 Reverse will follow the same rerouting, just in reverse. Routes 53 Rosemoor and 53B Rosemoor Express
Due to the partial closure of Park Road in front of Blue Mountain, these two routes will travel via Knysna Road when departing from the Garden Route Mall, turn left into the CTM servitude road and right into Park Road to continue the normal route. The same rerouting will apply to trips from town in the direction of the Mall. Park Road should be open by 10:00.Delays to be expected
Accommodating the start of the 21-km and 42-km races from the starting point in Lang Street, via Hope Street to the airport road circle, there will be delays on all routes passing through the circle, especially between 07:00 and 07:20.Due to single-lane traffic from 06:00 along the entire OCC route, from Carpe Diem School to the turning point behind Eden Meander, delays must be expected on all routes, with traffic officers controlling traffic to let athletes pass. York Street from the circle at Unity Park to Churchill Street should be back to normal by 10:00; from Churchill Street to Union Street, single lane traffic will apply until 11:30.Passengers are advised to take an earlier bus to ensure being on time for work, while GO GEORGE also calls on employers to be understanding and patient, should any workers arrive a little bit late.For more information, please phone the GO GEORGE Call Centre on 0800 044 044, or visit the GO GEORGE Facebook page for details.
Golf Digest Magazine recently announced its new South African course rankings for 2020, and once again, George has come up tops, with 3 courses in the Top Ten.The Links at Fancourt remains at number 1, and Montagu at number 8, while George Golf Course jumped two places to number 10. This is indeed a prestigious award for a public course, and the ranking is testament to the commitment and dedication of the staff and the members, to present an immaculate golf course for their members and guests alike.“Golf remains one of George’s main attractions and one of the unique selling points. We are pleased to remain in the top of the rankings for another year. We wish to congratulate everyone who contributes to keeping the courses interesting and perfectly manicured, and thereby keeping George in the golf spotlight. It makes our job of promoting George as a premier golf destination that much easier” says Joan Shaw, George Municipality Tourism Manager.Other courses in the Garden Route that made the top 20 list include Pinnacle Point Beach and Golf Resort, Mosselbay (15th), Pezula Championship Course (18th) and Simola Golf Club (20th), both in Knysna. Add the St. Francis Links (5th) and our coastline offers 6 of the Top 20 courses in South Africa, making this a bucket-list golfing destination.Golf 6/12 George Golf Club
Photo Credit: George TourismFancourt: The Links
Photo Credit: Fancourt Hotel and Estate
George Municipality Department Environmental Services joined forces with the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs to clean-up an illegal dumping hot spot next to the N2 in Rosedale. Workers from the Community Workers Programme (CWP) and Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) assisted in the clean-up while department officials took to the streets to educate locals about the negative impacts of illegal dumping and littering, and to promote and explain the municipality’s three-bag waste reduction programme. George Municipality provided refuse bags and pickers and arranged for the bags to be removed after the clean-up. A similar project is planned in areas of Blanco later this week.George Municipality cleansing department project coordinator Grace Notshokovu explains the municipality’s three-bag recycling programme to a community member in Rosedale.From left are George Municipality cleansing department project coordinator Grace Notshokovu, Community Workers Programme project coordinator Petrus Moller, municipality street cleansing foreman Annaline April, Environmental Affairs project coordinator Ethan Stoffels and municipality cleansing department administrative assistant Yolanda Mali.Community Workers Programme workers clean the entrance to pedestrian bridge over the N2 at Rosedale.Photo credit: Melanie Maré
The 18th OCC, hosted by the Disabled Road Race Foundation (DRRF), is back in its original slot and will take place on 15 February.Many of the race favourites who missed the 2019 race due to prior commitments, will once again be competing, giving locals the opportunity to see some of Africa’s finest para- & quad athletes in action right here in George.A venue and route change will see the race begin and end at Carpe Diem School while the new route will take competitors from Carpe Diem to York Street, up to the circle, into Courtnay Street, on to the Garden Route Mall and back again.Once again, the success of the event is made possible by the assistance of the sponsors, provincial and local government.The Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, the George Municipality and Lancewood continue their long-standing support of the OCC.New sponsors to come on board this year include the Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa, who will supply the medals and bottled water; and Cape Town Magazine.com who will provide R50 00 in cash and a R50 000 media contract after the OCC won the 2019 Western Cape Premier’s Office Pitching Competition for event funding. Staging the race would not be possible without the significant contribution of many individuals and organisations.A total of 250 officials, marshals, traffic officers, and route layout crew and registration staff; 400 volunteers who give of their time to push chairs and assist with other tasks; the OCC organising committee consisting of over 50 members under the leadership of event director, Alewijn Dippenaar; and more than 15 service providers who supply portable toilets, tents, food, medals, sound, stage and race timekeeping all make putting on the event possible.In addition, various community organisations make invaluable contribution including the Lions, Rotary, QuadPara Association of the Western Cape (QAWC), Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa, Afrique Rehabilitation & Research Consultants NPC, South African National AIDS Council Trust, APD, the South African Society of Physiotherapy, and the George Business Chamber.Entries are available on the OCC Website and registrations will be open on 14 February from 8 am to 6 pm at the school where after the Opening Ceremony, which is open to the public, will take place.The 42.2 km race will start at 7 am and the 21.1 km at 7.10 am. Athletes competing in the 42.2 km race will complete the course twice, and the 21.1 competitors once.The 10 km at will start at 8 am and the 5 km fun event at 10.30 am. Athletes competing in the 10 km race will turn at the circle, completing the course twice while the 5 km fun event participants will complete the course once.The awards ceremony, which is also open to the public, follows at 12.30 pm.The organisers invite you to line the streets, cheer on the athletes and attend the race functions on Friday evening and Saturday midday. See you there!
OCC 2020 PRIZE MONEY
CATEGORY (MALE & FEMALE)
1’ST
2’ND
3’RD
10 KM JUNIOR
R1000
R800
R500
10 KM SENIOR
R1500
R1000
R500
21 KM SENIOR
R2000
R1500
R1000
42 KM SENIOR
R10 000
R8 000
R7 000
The Outeniqua Chair Challenge attracts athletes from all nine provinces as well as from the rest of Africa and abroad. Thousands of visitors descend on the Garden Route, not only having a significant economic impact (estimated to be in the region of R3 million) but also raising awareness of the needs of disabled persons. As a result, the Garden Route has become a premier destination for the disabled. There is a need to assists athletes with costs related to accommodation and transport and acquiring chairs for participants competing in a wide range of racing chairs and hand cycles. In conclusion Dippenaar said, “The event is about Ubuntu – making a difference in the lives of others. Sponsors invest in people’s lives (persons with disabilities) and together we strive to restore the dignity of those wheelchair-bound person’s lives”.For more information contact Alewijn Dippenaar, 082 457 5675, dyndev@mweb.co.zaPress release on behalf of the Road Race Foundation:
interface by gojimimi finestone | mimi@gojipr.net | +27 84 583 3144
The Director of the African Centre for Disease Control, Dr John Nkengasong, says this is not the time to panic, but to put public health measures in place.What you need to know to prevent Coronavirus
By die spog geleentheid het Cllr Charlotte Clarke die uitvoerende onder burgemeester van George en Cllr Memory Booysen uitvoerende burgemeester van die Eden-distrik-munisipaliteit saam met Corné Botha President van George Landbouskou die koek gesny.
Kyk laat ons dit nou maar vir mekaar sê: Volgens oorlewering vanaf die 1ste George Landbou Skou wat in 1860 aangebied is, spog die gemeenskap van George met ‘n Landbou Skou wat vanjaar die groot 160 jaar herdenking vier. Die skou behoort aan die gemeenskap en sonder die gemeenskap sou dit nie 160 jaar oud gewees het nie.‘n Beroep word gedoen op die hele George gemeenskap om die tyd van die viering 27-29 Augustus 2020 as Skou naweek te merk op die kalender. Die voortbestaan van die George Landbou Skou is soos enige iets in die lewe – soos ‘n saad wat gesaai word, ‘n persoonlike of sake verhouding, selfs ‘n droom – dit moet instand gehou en gekoester word om verder te kan groei. Daarom is dit belangrik, en nie slegs van die kommittee lede nie, maar elkeen wat ‘n rol speel – of dit in die sakesektor, finansiële sektor of Landbou is om by te dra tot die uitbouing van hierdie belangrike saak.Ons as Skouraadslede wil ‘n beroep op u doen om meer betrokke te raak deur die 2020 George Landbou Skou op te bou tot ‘n heerlike verjaarsdag-viering en die skou daarmee uitbou tot voordeel van almal.Die geleentheid rondom 2020 se George Landbou Skou is enorm, en is soos Goud in die grond wat ons net begin ontgin. Kom ons neem landbou, toerisme, jeug, local is lekker, ontwikkeling, want dit is waar ons groei is, en dit hou vir George ‘n groot finansiële voordeel in en die sneeubal effek gaan én het die afgelope 160 jaar groot finansiële implikasies vir George ingehou. Wees deel van die goue geleentheid om u besigheid te laat groei, te laat ontwikkel en ontgin saam met ons die goud van 160 jaar by 2020 George Landbou Skou. 
