Despite the recently approved budget the city promised would address their many service delivery issues, residents are still taking matters into their own hands to ensure clean suburbs.
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MMC for Finance, Economic Development and Information Communication Fanyana Nkosi said because the adjusted budget was passed the CoE can now buy waste compactors to replace the ageing in-house fleet.
The community of Dinwiddie, with the support of AfriForum, came out in numbers on March 11 to clean their suburb. Their focus was on Buxton Park.
The organiser, Wessel Radyn, said the purpose of the clean-up was to bring the community together.
“We saw the need because this park is in a residential area and next to the school. It should be used, but the community is unable to use it because of its condition.
“We wanted to get the community involved and say, ‘this is your space, take the initiative of cleaning it up’,” said Radyn.
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He said this is a simple act of bringing the community together.
“We want to bring back a sense of community and have residents take responsibility for their spaces and look after them.
“The city is in crisis, but for us to sit and do nothing does not solve the problem. So we want to be the solution,” explained Radyn.
Young and old Dinwiddie residents supported the day and were pleased to see the park cleaned up.
Radyn said this is not the last clean-up because they will do more projects in the area.
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“We have several projects we want to tackle because we see the need and lack of resources to get some things done. We want communities where people are proud to say, ‘I live here’,” said Radyn.
Not far from Dinwiddie, the Lambton residents also cleaned up their neighbourhood, made possible by the support of businesses in the area.
The People’s Voice members spent the morning cleaning up the Webber Road sidewalk. Organiser Tanya Bezuidenhout said the initiative was for the benefit of the community.
“This is our home, and no one wants to live in a dirty home.
“We want our area to be beautiful again. At the same time, we strengthen the bonds of the community,” said Bezuidenhout.
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She said residents are tired of waiting for service delivery.
“If we can make a difference ourselves, why not? Yes, it requires sacrificing your time, but it is worth every second,” said Bezuidenhout.
“We saw families come together to the clean-up and teenagers who showed a sense of community,” said Bezuidenhout.
For more information on the clean-up projects, call Bezuidenhout on 078 133 5691 or Radyn on 067 212 4070.
