GEORGE NEWS - The 2010 flags in George took a solid beating at the weekend as strong winds bashed the city. Some flags lining the main routes were ripped off broken brackets, while others were crumpled or simply reduced to limp unimpressive rags.
Karin Ferreira from K-designs who marketed the ‘George’ flags to local businesses, says she has been inundated by calls from unhappy flag sponsors. "I want to make it very clear that none of the actual flags were damaged. As far as the brackets are concerned, these were supplied by the George Municipality who used a private contractor to manufacture the brackets. People are very unhappy that some of the brackets could not withstand the wind."

The South African, Japanese and green ‘Welcome the World’ flags were paid for and put up by the Western Cape Go-vernment. Some of these flags were also damaged and many citizens were worried that Japanese visitors may feel insulted by their flag’s undignified display.

George senior manager of Sport and Environmental Affairs, André Smith, says all the brackets will be repaired or replaced. "By the end of the weekend no flag will be flying half mast or fluttering in the skies above town. The supplier of the brackets has agreed to fix the brackets free of charge.
"The speedy replacement is an issue as George only has one cherry picker avai-lable and the electrical department is using it to full capacity. We can only use it after hours to take the brackets down. Luckily we have spare brackets and flags available while the broken ones are being repaired."
According to Smith the Western Cape Government is taking responsibility for the flags they put up in town.

Article: Ilse Schoonraad


The Japanese flag opposite Die Bult School makes for a sorry sight.