Community rolls up their sleeves to beautify Alberton
Alberton residents and the local business community took ownership of their town by joining hands to clean up a piece of Nelson Mandela Ave (previously known as Michelle Avenue) on November 4.
At least 14 entities teamed up with Project Improvement Clean-up (PICUP) Alberton to beautify a stretch of one of Alberton’s entrances – Nelson Mandela Avenue (previously known as Michelle Avenue).
PICUP Alberton, whose mission is to clean up Alberton through community-based projects, joined forces to clean up a kilometre from Sasol Meyersdal to the KFC in Meyersdal.
The clean-up community project saw volunteers and entities come together to pick up litter and cut grass and weeds.
According to PICUP Alberton founder Joeleen Smit, they wanted to raise awareness that as residents and the business community, we need to start showing up for our town.
“We decided to clean all the entrances of Alberton. We have already done the Voortrekker Road entrance. Ultimately, we want to work as a team to get things done in our community. The municipality’s resources are running out, they cannot get to everything, and we need to realise that we need to start doing our part,” she explained.
If community members continue to upkeep their town, she said this should also address the crime problem, and hopefully, they can start creating jobs through their non-profit organisation.
Rui Gouveia of Starpack said, “If we could all do our bit, we could be far. The government must do what they do best, and we as a community must do what we do best. Many hands can change a town in one day. If all the wonderful people of Alberton can do their bit, we will have a world-class city within seven days.”
He said it breaks his heart as a grown man to drive past a road with weeds and long grass, adding, “It shows that we are helpless and we are not helpless.”
Special thank you to Johan’s Auto, Starpack, Fox Security, CPS Security, Netcare 911, Procare EMS, Mr and Ms Alberton, Advanced Fire Suppression Systems, AfriForum Alberton, GS Technical Solutions, Remax All Stars, EMPD, CoE, Nick’s Waterproofing and Interior or Exterior Decorations, Sole2Sole and the Alberton Community volunteers as well as PICUP Alberton.