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
The heavy rainfall of the past few days has raised the level of the Garden Route Dam but at the same time highlighted the complications caused by the ongoing illegal dumping of material into stormwater drains. Following a flood of calls regarding storm water drains overflowing this weekend, it was found that 95% of the drains were blocked by illegal materials and rubbish dumped directly into the drain causing damage and misery to the households further down the line whose yards were flooded.Please help reduce blocked drains and how to report illegal dumpingOne 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 and other solid items which is 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 dumping of waste is dangerous and a health hazard. Waste should be collected in refuse bags and placed for collection on 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.
Persistent solid rainfall from last week Wednesday (15/01) to today (Monday 20/01) has led to the dam level for today reading 89% with a total rainfall of 148mm recorded.The official dam reading is calculated every Wednesday by the George Municipality and will be provided. It is expected to rise even further due to continued run-off and further rainfall expected this week.(Please note the Garden Route Dam needs to be re-calibrated by the Department of Water Affairs following the raising of the wall. Until this process has been completed all readings are based on the previous dam wall height)..
WhatsApp users in various countries – including South Africa – reported a partial outage in the service on Sunday afternoon.Users found it impossible to upload photos and videos, or voice notes, while a smaller number said they could not send text messages either.The Facebook-owned company did not immediately respond to the outage, which rapidly trended on Twitter under the tag #whatsappdown.Reports of the problem have come in from the United Kingdom and Europe, India, the Middle East, and elsewhere.After what appeared to be an initial total outage on media files for at least one hour, some users started to report the intermittent ability to send photos.The WhatsApp glitch appeared entirely unconnected with broader problems South Africans have recently had connecting to the global internet due to breaks in undersea fibre optic cables, with bad weather holding back repairs.Previous outages on WhatsApp, in mid-2019, appeared to be associated with US cybersecurity firm Cloudflare.That outage – which also affected media files – lasted some 9 hours, and also affected Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram.The company also had sever trouble in March 2019, which caused its apps to be unavailable or troublesome for more than eight hours.WhatsApp has been downloaded more than 5 billion times for Android devices.* This is a developing story. **BusinessInsider
If you’re a business owner, we need your support of the 20FOR2020 campaign. In order to gain support and mass membership, we will be doing monthly lucky draws and one LARGE annual prize draw for all members.In exchange for your prize donation, we will feature your business on our webpage and on our app. Please chat to us for details and be part of the changes we envision.2020@lovegeorge.co.za20FOR2020 Campaign Developer: Carl van Blerk – 082 8260731
A hole in the soul!
Times are tough – unless you’re one of the lucky ones unaffected by the economic challenges, which is not yet showing signs of improvement, you’ll find it harder and harder to make it through the month. We’re not talking about those who have to cut down to just one holiday a year, as opposed to the traditional two family breaks; we’re talking about the growing majority who battle to put a plate of food on the table by month end, those who have to dodge the debt collectors asking for the last payment that bounced and trying to explain to the kids why they need to wear those broken school shoes with the hole in the sole, for just a little while longer ….But here’s the reality – before this recession, when you were still just getting to that last meal before payday brought some relief, and still able to squeeze in that half price movie on a Tuesday night, there were already vast amounts of people that were suffering – no food, no home, no vision for a better future. It’s those people that rely on the good hearts and charity of a supportive community. All that has happened now, is that this pool of suffering, has increased to extraordinary proportions …. More people have been retrenched, less jobs are available and the need for support is larger now than ever before.To give or not to give, that is the question!How do we address this growing problem? Regardless of your economic position, this growing move towards poverty has a profound effect on us all – you may have a thriving business today, but will it still be there tomorrow? You may be earning boat loads today, but what if you’re retrenched tomorrow? Sadly, humanity only wakes up when disaster affects us personally. We don’t care too much about doing anything when a fire burns thousands of kilometres away, but when it’s threatening our own home, then we have expectations of support and reparation. Who do we blame? Who will replace our lost belongings? Who will give us a roof over our heads tonight, or a plate of food when we have nothing?This is all normal – we have busy lives and commitments that absorb our every moment – we can’t possible solve all the world’s problems and therefore need to filter out the things least important to us personally … to an extent anyway. So that’s ok … but, we can and should still support those who dedicate their time to ensure systems of support are in place when disaster strikes, when poverty overwhelms, when kids get sick and the elderly are lonely … this should be the rent we pay for the space we occupy on Earth! (A philosophy shared worldwide by Lions Clubs International – the world’s largest service organisation)Imagine for a moment if 400 000 residents of George all contributed just R20 a month to dedicated causes that can alleviate poverty, support disaster relief and generally uplift our city! For that matter, if only 25% of those residents contributed – a more realistic view of capabilities – that would mean R2 000 000 a month towards changing lives – yes, 2 million rand a month! – why is this so impossible to achieve, but yet sadly, it is. We have 67 000 people on our community Facebook Page, Georgiete Staan Saam, – some are not local residents, so let’s work with 50 000 …. R20 each per month – that’s a million rand a month! Wow – my mind boggles on how we can set a standard for the BEST and MOST CARING city in the country, maybe the world!How I dream of a day this could happen – do you think it’s possible? Would YOU support it and encourage your friends, family, work colleagues and those living in your street, to support a “20 for 2020 campaign”? I would love to hear your thoughts .. but please be positive, after all, we LOVE GEORGE!Love Garden Route NPC
Account number: 10 11 022 552 8
Standard Bank
Branch: George
Branch code: 051001
Swift address: SBZA ZA JJ
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! 
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! 
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 and other solid items which is 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 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 and other solid items which is 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 dumping of waste is dangerous and a health hazard. Waste should be collected in refuse bags and placed for collection on 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.
The official dam reading is calculated every Wednesday by the George Municipality and will be provided. It is expected to rise even further due to continued run-off and further rainfall expected this week.
The official dam reading is calculated every Wednesday by the George Municipality and will be provided. It is expected to rise even further due to continued run-off and further rainfall expected this week.
(Please note the Garden Route Dam needs to be re-calibrated by the Department of Water Affairs following the raising of the wall. Until this process has been completed all readings are based on the previous dam wall height)..
To give or not to give, that is the question! How do we address this growing problem? Regardless of your economic position, this growing move towards poverty has a profound effect on us all – you may have a thriving business today, but will it still be there tomorrow? You may be earning boat loads today, but what if you’re retrenched tomorrow? Sadly, humanity only wakes up when disaster affects us personally. We don’t care too much about doing anything when a fire burns thousands of kilometres away, but when it’s threatening our own home, then we have expectations of support and reparation. Who do we blame? Who will replace our lost belongings? Who will give us a roof over our heads tonight, or a plate of food when we have nothing?This is all normal – we have busy lives and commitments that absorb our every moment – we can’t possible solve all the world’s problems and therefore need to filter out the things least important to us personally … to an extent anyway. So that’s ok … but, we can and should still support those who dedicate their time to ensure systems of support are in place when disaster strikes, when poverty overwhelms, when kids get sick and the elderly are lonely … this should be the rent we pay for the space we occupy on Earth! (A philosophy shared worldwide by Lions Clubs International – the world’s largest service organisation)Imagine for a moment if 400 000 residents of George all contributed just R20 a month to dedicated causes that can alleviate poverty, support disaster relief and generally uplift our city! For that matter, if only 25% of those residents contributed – a more realistic view of capabilities – that would mean R2 000 000 a month towards changing lives – yes, 2 million rand a month! – why is this so impossible to achieve, but yet sadly, it is. We have 67 000 people on our community Facebook Page, Georgiete Staan Saam, – some are not local residents, so let’s work with 50 000 …. R20 each per month – that’s a million rand a month! Wow – my mind boggles on how we can set a standard for the BEST and MOST CARING city in the country, maybe the world!How I dream of a day this could happen – do you think it’s possible? Would YOU support it and encourage your friends, family, work colleagues and those living in your street, to support a “20 for 2020 campaign”? I would love to hear your thoughts .. but please be positive, after all, we LOVE GEORGE!Love Garden Route NPC
Account number: 10 11 022 552 8
Standard Bank
Branch: George
Branch code: 051001
Swift address: SBZA ZA JJ
To give or not to give, that is the question! How do we address this growing problem? Regardless of your economic position, this growing move towards poverty has a profound effect on us all – you may have a thriving business today, but will it still be there tomorrow? You may be earning boat loads today, but what if you’re retrenched tomorrow? Sadly, humanity only wakes up when disaster affects us personally. We don’t care too much about doing anything when a fire burns thousands of kilometres away, but when it’s threatening our own home, then we have expectations of support and reparation. Who do we blame? Who will replace our lost belongings? Who will give us a roof over our heads tonight, or a plate of food when we have nothing?This is all normal – we have busy lives and commitments that absorb our every moment – we can’t possible solve all the world’s problems and therefore need to filter out the things least important to us personally … to an extent anyway. So that’s ok … but, we can and should still support those who dedicate their time to ensure systems of support are in place when disaster strikes, when poverty overwhelms, when kids get sick and the elderly are lonely … this should be the rent we pay for the space we occupy on Earth! (A philosophy shared worldwide by Lions Clubs International – the world’s largest service organisation)Imagine for a moment if 400 000 residents of George all contributed just R20 a month to dedicated causes that can alleviate poverty, support disaster relief and generally uplift our city! For that matter, if only 25% of those residents contributed – a more realistic view of capabilities – that would mean R2 000 000 a month towards changing lives – yes, 2 million rand a month! – why is this so impossible to achieve, but yet sadly, it is. We have 67 000 people on our community Facebook Page, Georgiete Staan Saam, – some are not local residents, so let’s work with 50 000 …. R20 each per month – that’s a million rand a month! Wow – my mind boggles on how we can set a standard for the BEST and MOST CARING city in the country, maybe the world!How I dream of a day this could happen – do you think it’s possible? Would YOU support it and encourage your friends, family, work colleagues and those living in your street, to support a “20 for 2020 campaign”? I would love to hear your thoughts .. but please be positive, after all, we LOVE GEORGE!Love Garden Route NPC
Account number: 10 11 022 552 8
Standard Bank
Branch: George
Branch code: 051001
Swift address: SBZA ZA JJ