ABSTRACT
The few studies of George and its immediate environs mostly deal with social, environmental, spatial, economic and administrative issues. At the time of major municipal restructuring in 2000, a study was conducted to compare the spatial transformations of George, Pretoria and Cape Town. The study revealed a very positive picture of George in terms of socio-political transformation but spatially the apartheid landscape was very much intact. The city of George has become known for hosting annual sport events such as the President's Cup golf in 2003, a World Sevens rugby tournament and an International Under-18 rugby tournament. In the Knowledge Age, where knowledge and ideas are the main sources of economic growth, secondary cities face new challenges but also take advantage of new opportunities. The drought in the George region from 2009 to 2011 prompted research into how authorities dealt with the disaster.
