THE Umbilo Business Forum’s (UBF) key project in Congella Park, in association with the Parks and Gardens Department, reached a high point last week.
A meeting was held to discuss the recycling centre at the park and to clear the last financial obstacles.
According to Ian Campbell-Gillies from the UBF, while the meeting was taking place, Metro Police were intent on forced removal of jobless men working under supervision of the Parks Department’s Jennifer Rampersad, under a monitored job-creation scheme.
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“Certainly the Metro were not without good reason for their actions; poor behaviour and unclean use of donated resources are indeed among a long list of issues that have plagued the park in the past. The population of homeless and criminals was much higher 18 months ago, and the area was not only a mess, but unsafe for adjacent businesses. This has all changed,” he said.
He said an impromptu item of instant community communication was added to the meeting agenda.
“SAPS and Metro quickly joined the discussion on vital issues, and a workable compromise that spoke the language of inclusivity was agreed upon,” he said.
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Campbell-Gillies said it is hoped that within two weeks, power and water will be connected at the recycling centre.
“Shortly thereafter, the facilities for recycling along with money management and staffing will take place thanks to the contributions of Premier Waste. Standard Bank are also on board with low-cost banking facilities,” he said.
The aim of the centre is to create income from 10 to 30 street recyclers.
“It may be a short journey from the gutters to Congella Park for these citizens, but hopefully they will be permanently included in the economy. Everyone attending the meeting agreed that this process would lower crime in the area and tell a good story of what it is to be a South African,” he said.
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