OVERPORT residents, Thandazile Mnguni and Sthembiso Luthuli have embarked on an ambitious project to turn a overgrown, decaying property in Overport into a thriving urban-agricultural site.
The duo set up a Non Governmental Organisation in June last year when they took it upon themselves to start cleaning up the property and planting flower beds, a move that has been welcomed and supported by surrounding residents. According to councillor Chris Pappas, the property situated at the intersection of Moses Kotane and Julia Roads belongs to the Department of Public Works.
The buildings have been vacant for a number of years and have become derelict and are a beacon for vagrants and criminal elements.
“A security guard was sadly killed at the site earlier this year defending the property against alleged ‘whoonga boys.'”
“We are now trying to partner with the Department of Public Works and the City’s Radical Agrarian Socio-Economic Transformation (RASET) programme to repurpose the site as a modern high-intensity urban agricultural site, that would see hydroponic farming and growing tunnels,” said Pappas.
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Mnguni agreed, saying a number people had reported being robbed while walking past the property.
“Cars were broken into and dumping is a problem. We want the municipality to give us the property to clean up and plant. There are vagrants living there and we want to try move them on by fixing up the grounds. Once permission has been given to go ahead, we are going to find more people to help us,” said Thandazile.
Pappas said the proposed project was in the early phases of discussions and the success of the project would lie with the Department of Public Works coming on board.
“Making this project a success will boost jobs in the area and be an example of how derelict buildings can be repurposed. We hope that the government will come on board and not make this an arduous process. Once we have secured more information there will most definitely be a public participation process for people to raise ideas or concerns,” he said.
Resident, Pauline McDaniel, who is very supportive of the project,said she was happy to provide plants from her garden to spruce up the area.
“I was very pleased when I first saw Sthembiso cleaning up the stairway as it was in a terrible state. I am very happy to donate plants as they are doing a wonderful job,” she said.
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