Local businesses are encouraged to get involved by making a positive difference in restoring Alberton to the beautiful city it once was and even better.
This was after AfriForum Alberton spearheaded a pothole-filling project in parts of Randhart on October 30, thanks to Waterways Bathroom and Plumbing Lifestyle Centre and volunteers.
In the spirit of AfriForum’s slogan of ‘Doing something is better than doing nothing’, AfriForum Alberton welcomed a kind donation and informed the community of the planned project.\
A Raceview resident, LeRoux Seegers of Waterways Bathroom and Plumbing Lifetyle Centre, offered to sponsor AfriForum Alberton at least 20 bags of cold tar to fill potholes.
According to Clifford Smith of AfriForum Alberton, certain roads in Randhart and Raceview were identified for the project and the date was set for October 30.
“Arrangements were made to collect the tar and established that the donor increased the number of bags from 20 to 40 of 25kg. Alberton AfriForum volunteers together with residents met to discuss the plans for the day,” he said.
The team proceeded to Olivine Avenue in Randhart for the first pothole to be filled.
Smith said the team soon established that in some cases and with the recent rains, certain potholes could not be filled as they were still wet, which prevents the pothole from being filled properly.
“The convoy continued along Olivine Avenue until they arrived at a stretch of road that was bad, the corner of Opal Place. It was decided that the stretch of road was so bad that it would need to be completely resurfaced, a job beyond the capacity of the 40 bags of tar and equipment available. The convoy had no choice but to leave this bad section of the road behind,” he said.
Further down Olivine Avenue, after turning into Amfibool Avenue at the corner of General Alberts Avenue, he said the team came across several potholes that could be filled.
Going an extra mile
While carrying out this work, the team ensured the safety of all volunteers and the community.
“As bags or tar were poured into the prepared potholes, it quickly became apparent that some holes were so big that they required as many as four bags to fill. As the team were busy filling potholes some of the team decided to do a clean-up of the surrounding field, picking up papers, cans and bottles,” Smith said.
Several residents drove past as the team were busy, thanking the team for their efforts. One resident, representing the CPF immediately got involved and assisted.
“The community driving past was extremely patient with the team as a section of one side of General Alberts Avenue had to be closed to ensure the safety of those working on the potholes. We appreciate the community’s acknowledgement of the efforts of the volunteers and for their patience,” he said.
Ten potholes were filled in Amfibool Avenue and at the intersection of Amfibool and General Alberts avenues.
Smith confirmed a total of 18 bags out of the 40 were used in the time of six hours to fill 12 potholes.
He said plans will be made for another day before the end of the year to use the remaining 22 bags.
“A massive thank you to Seegers for the generosity towards the community. We remind the community that AfriForum is a group of volunteers, who use their own time and in some cases their resources in serving the community of Alberton,” he explained.
