GEORGE NEWS - This year’s Vodacom George Cheese Festival was a big success again with 7 600 people attending various exciting events during the five days of feasting.

Giving an overview of the success of the 2011 festival, headmaster Johan Smit expressed his wholehearted appreciation of the excellent support that the school’s ninth festival year had received. "I hope that we can keep the same sponsors on board - when we have our tenth festival.

Smit, together with the festival director Anna-lize Pretorius, gave their feed-back report last week at a cocktail party at which the proceeds of the various events were handed over to several charitable organisations.

"The Errol Arendtz/Checkers Food Wine and Fashion event was well attended," Smit said.

"We as organisers aim to introduce the public to the warm hospitality of the Southern Cape and to give justice to our new slogan ‘Where people come together’.

"Visitors from Germany, England and even America joined in the fun and the George Herald’s marketing contributed to the bustling atmosphere.
"A record number of 83 exhibitors joined the festival this year contributing to a tasting feast. Altogether 1000 people attended the Elvis Blue show on that festival Sunday, with LeRoy Botha kicking off the concert. The running event drew more people and the Street Mile held on Friday, and the Netball tournament the following day was a hit. About 500 children visited the McDonalds Kids Zone during the festival, entertained by Ronald McDonald, and Idols competition and "boeresport.

"For the first year George Municipality and the Cheese Festival joined forces and entertained 29 crèches at the McDonalds Kids Zone."

The profits of the festival was handed over at the art gallery of René Scribante. Bene-ficiaries included: Heavenly Haven, Badisa, Famsa, Phambili Projects, Life Community Centre and Kid Stop. Bathesda Crèche Wikkelwurm was the beneficiaries of much needed equipment and furniture.

Famsa will use the R6 650 cheque to build a therapy room.

Life Community Services will be building a fence around the school with their R6 650. Madeleine Meyer and Sister Olkers of the Bathesda Hospice said the donated hospital equipment to the value of R7000, came at the right time and would contribute towards providing relief to terminally ill patients.

One of the parents, Lindsay Mooiman, started a blanket drive in 2008 which became an enduring project with Kid Stop and Wikkelwurm Crèche being the recipients.

Smit ended off by saying it was ‘an absolute pleasure to be able to give back to the community’. He emphasised his appreciation for the hard work and excellent organising skills of Anna-lize Pretorius and her team. The sponsors, particularly Vodacom and Vodacom Shop in George, as well as the public of George were thanked for their support.


Part of the funds raised at the Vodacom Cheese Festival was handed over to Nicolette Pretorius of Famsa, who received a cheque of R6650 from the main sponsor, George Vodacom’s Clair Boltman (left). The money will be used to build a therapy room. Photo: Pauline Lourens