Clean-up campaign empowers gardener

FOR the past five years, residents of Mount Vernon have taken it upon themselves to clean up and beautify the community.

Queensburgh resident, Kevin Cotton, who hopes to inspire other neighbourhoods to adopt a similar clean-up campaign, sparked the initiative. Aside from community service, the programme also creates employment and boosts local businesses.

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“We have a gardener, Siyamcela Landa, who undertakes the cleaning up aspects and local businesses or residents contact me and contribute money for him to clean up specific areas. Their businesses are then promoted on our community WhatsApp group. No money, aside from what is paid to Siya, is made from the initiative,” said the 46-year-old.

Durban Solid Waste provides Cotton with special refuse bags that are collected once they are full. Ward 65 councillor, Samantha Windvogel is also on board with the clean-ups and assists with any hiccups along the way.

“I have also linked up with residents from Arundel Road, who are keen on keeping the area clean and we hope to continue to foster the relationship. It is truly amazing how far the clean-ups have come since the beginning, and the community has been wonderful. Siya feels like he is famous because people always recognise him and thank him for his hard work. The clean-up campaigns have been life changing for Siya since he can now afford to feed his family. It has created employment and empowers him. It is incredible to see other people supporting the programme,” said Windvogel.

Cotton hopes that more people will adopt a similar mindset and avoid littering their neighbourhoods. He also encourages other communities to do their bit to keep the environment clean.

“Residents should always be mindful of the environment and if you litter, you should clean-up after yourself. Some residents have a mindset where it is not their job or responsibility to maintain verges and other areas. We can all do a small bit to help each other. When your community is clean you feel a sense of pride and it changes your outlook on the world,” he said.

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