Krugersdorp residents want to feel proud of their town, and pride usually starts with beautification of that town; whether buildings, streets and open spaces are cleaned and well maintained.
Within the West Village community, there’s a strong need for developing this pride, with residents wanting dearly to clean up the place they call home.
One of the bigger problems in West Village is overgrown vegetation, especially dense, chest-high grass and an abundance of large trees.
These can pose quite the security risk to residents. “Especially on School Road, the community is mostly made up of elderly people, pensioners, and they are concerned about safety. Their request was that everything be removed, especially the trees. They said the way crime is here, it’s better if there were no trees,” Whitey Moleba, Ward 26 councillor and MMC for Roads and Transport in Mogale City said.
The overgrown field across from the homes on School Road made it easy for criminals to hide, Whitey explained. “It was obstructing visibility for drivers. My aim, if it’s cleared, is that everyone will be visible. Even when they’re driving around the police will be able to see more clearly.”
This clean-up project was initially proposed by community members during a public meeting Whitey attended. He explained that the community had joined hands and cleaned other parts of the area on their own, using their own equipment.
In addition to what the community was doing, Whitey wanted to focus on the open fields between West Village and Makhulugama, approaching businesses in the area for financial assistance, and brining in local temporary workers who have tree-cutting equipment and expertise.
They’ve got equipment, therefore I will ask businesses whether they can help me by paying for their petrol and the use of their machines. The quotation went straight to the businesses and the payment goes straight to that service provider.”
Whitey said this project would show other communities in Krugersdorp what could be achieved when residents come together and councillors put their weight behind a project. Similar clean-up projects have already been implemented by other ward councillors and their communities, and the general consensus is that it will continue.
Whitey lastly said, “I’m encouraging other parts of Ward 26 also to take up this initiative. Putting hands together, we can achieve more.”
