Mayor Jackie von Brandis Reflects on Productive First 100 Days in George

George - The vibrant and dynamic city of George in South Africa marked a significant milestone as its Executive Mayor, Ald Jackie von Brandis, completed her first 100 days in office. The occasion did not simply pass; it was commemorated with a jubilant celebration that brought together city officials, councillors, and the community.

As part of the festivities, a motorcade featuring municipal vehicles paraded down York Street alongside the drum majorettes of Heidedal Primary School before convening at the George Civic Centre. There, Mayor von Brandis stood before her constituents to deliver an address resonating with gratitude and optimism.

Mayor von Brandis embraced the moment to express her thanks to George residents, acknowledging both her role's challenges and the unwavering support that fuels her commitment. Amid a colourful display, with officials dressed to represent their departments, she reassured the crowd of her dedication to governance that anchors on their best interests.

Reviewing her administration's milestones, von Brandis outlined the practical solutions and strategic direction that characterized her term's first chapter. One standout achievement was the Finance Directorate’s Old Debt task team's success in addressing R315 million worth of aged debts and enhancing fiscal transparency using newly implemented dashboards.

The municipality’s social fabric saw reinforcement through numerous initiatives aimed at empowering vulnerable communities and promoting inclusivity. The Social Development and Sports Departments, under Cllr Melvin Roelfse’s direction, extended its swath of influence to more residents, inaugurating the Pacaltsdorp satellite Thusong Centre and creating dialogues with the LGBTQ+ community. Exciting advancements were also made towards realizing George’s potential as a sports hub in the region.

The city’s infrastructure developments continued to progress, with the Civil Engineering team spearheading key projects, including upgrading the public transport network and pushing forward with the GO GEORGE Bus service, significantly funded by the National Department of Transport.

Environmental efforts were not left behind, with the municipality ensuring the cleanliness of public spaces and celebrating the blue-flag status earned by three of its beaches. This came alongside the Electrotechnical Directorate's achievement in sustainable energy, with the completion of a significant solar power project and increased access to electricity in informal communities.

A commitment to improving municipal facilities was actualized with renovations to community halls, while Human Resources promptly filled vacancies to better meet the municipality's needs. Human settlements witnessed the joyous handover of over 100 homes to families, solidifying property ownership with title deed distributions.

The focus on public safety surged during “Safety Week” and the Community Safety Department's initiatives to enhance security measures across the municipality. This includes a transition to round-the-clock control room operations and an expansion in traffic personnel for more efficient service delivery.

As Mayor von Brandis reflects on these triumphs, she also renews her pledge to ensure George Municipality remains connected with its people, particularly in previously underserved areas. Looking ahead, she articulates an audacious vision that anticipates George’s evolution from a humble dorpie to a formidable front-runner within the Western Cape and beyond.

The first 100 days under Mayor von Brandis’s stewardship stand as a testament to a dynamic and determined team at George Municipality. The celebration concluded with fervent hope for the future and a pledge to sustain the positive momentum in service to the community.