Abandoned containers repurposed for schools Ekurhuleni
Last week, Ward 20 councillor for Bedfordview, Jill Humphreys and Germiston’s Ward 92 councillor, Kade Guerreiro, joined forces to make the vision a reality.
Two abandoned containers on Riley Road will be repurposed as libraries for two schools.
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Last week, Ward 20 councillor for Bedfordview, Jill Humphreys and Germiston’s Ward 92 councillor, Kade Guerreiro, joined forces to make this vision a reality.
With the help of Divan and Frikkie Raubenheimer from Car Towing Services, the containers were delivered to Klopperpark Primary and Sizwe Secondary schools.
Humphreys told the NEWS that she had received consistent complaints about the containers.
“The containers were left behind by a contractor several years ago when it was used as a site office.
“Despite constant requests the contractor refused to remove it from the municipal ground,” she added.
Humphreys said residents had become worried when they noticed the containers were used by vagrants and recyclers.
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“The area surrounding the containers became unsightly and the roads department requested the removal of the containers.”
Guerreiro said when he became aware of the containers and the need to relocate, he knew what he wanted to do.
“I put a post on Facebook asking for help moving the containers from Riley Road to the schools and received a response from Car Towing Services,” he said.
Frikkie Raubenheimer from the company added that the Facebook request was shared with them and a decision was taken to help move the containers to their new homes.
A site visit was held on Wednesday last week to discuss the logistics around the move and it was agreed to relocate the containers the following morning.
On move day, various departments including parks, EMPD and waste removal arrived to assess the situation and help clear the land.
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Humphreys said a vagrant living in the containers was given the weekend to remove his belongings.
“After talking to him, I feel so deeply for his situation, but the reality is that we cannot let this happen,” Humphreys said.
Guerreiro said he will now call on the community to help fit the containers with shelves and flooring and give the new libraries a coat of paint before being filled with books for the learners.
“It’s such a bonus that these containers already have doors and windows,” he said.
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