MEMBERS of the Umbilo community took matters into their own hands as they pitched in to clean up a section of Banshee Lane near Blake Road recently. What’s more, the clean-up created employment for two formerly homeless members of the community.
Zakariyya Vahed, owner of Umondli Security, described the chaotic road prior to the clean-up. “There were tons of rubble and waste, including human waste. Ian and I brought in a skip, and within two days, managed to clear the road. We have already seen a great improvement,” said Vahed.
Ian Campbell-Gillies of the Umbilo Business Forum said they joined forces with Umondli Security to clean up as part of the forum’s job-creation project. “Two months ago, Zakariyya took the initiative to remove 10 tons of waste from a section of Banshee Lane. This was part of a project intended to recover parts of Umbilo that have become completely defunct due to service-delivery failure from eThekwini Municipality. Zakariyya has provided shelter, food and remuneration for two formerly homeless people,” said Campbell-Gillies.
The Umbilo Business Forum was founded in 2010 to tackle issues impacting businesses in the area. “The forum is an instrumental element of repair and regeneration in Umbilo. It’s a case of citizens taking initiative,” said Campbell-Gillies.
According to Campbell-Gillies, the scourge of illegal dumping and litter in the area has contributed to rising crime rates. “There is a huge amount of crime and hijacking in the area, but the worst problem is the human misery and hopelessness around the high number of homeless people in the area,” he said. “Wherever rubbish is being put out to be collected, destitute homeless people are going through the waste, which is then not collected by DSW.”
Campbell-Gillies added that many businesses have closed their doors due to the decline of the area.
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Lindo Ndlovu is one of the men who was hired to clean up Banshee Lane. “This project is good for us, to help us change our lives. We want to have better lives,” said Ndlovu.
Ndlovu said he was abandoned on the Durban streets when he was just seven years old. “I have been living on the street from 1996. My mother left me on the street. To this day, I do not know where my mother is. I have been all alone,” he said.
While Ndlovu was cared for at a children’s shelter, he found himself back on the streets at 18. “I was struggling a lot because I didn’t have a job,” he said, adding that he worked as a waste collector and took on casual work.
Ndlovu is now seeking a permanent home.
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City responds
Spokesperson for the eThekwini Municipality Msawakhe Mayisela has welcomed the initiative.
“We encourage communities, schools, and businesses to clean-up areas where they work, live and play. There is no formal process to be followed businesses can liaise with Cleansing and Solid Waste when they are doing clean ups,” said Mayisela.
Mayisela confirmed that the City has received complaints about refuse removal in the area. He added that the Unit’s Education and Waste Minimisation department also works to educate and create awareness on proper waste management.
“We also request residents to take out refuse on scheduled collection days, use bins that are strategically placed in and around the City and report any illegal dumping,” said Mayisela.
Mayisela urged community members to report illegal dumping to the Cleansing and Solid Waste by calling the helpline on 031 311 8804/36 or emailing: DSW@durban.gov.za.
