Mamtolo is cleaned up
MIDRAND - Region A's regional director, Abigail Ndlovu said she hoped to turn Mamtolo and Riverbend informal settlements in Ivory Park into the ideal settlements.
Ndlovu spoke of plans to turn the local dump site into a mini park for children and grading the settlements’ gravel streets in preparation for the installation of electricity in the area. She said all this during a spot-and-fix campaign on 4 March which was a follow-up visit to the area.
On 2 February, the regional director and her team went to the area and identified a number of issues which included overflowing sewerage pipes, litter and the lack of electricity. According to Ndlovu, these issues were exacerbated due to the lack of education. “From now on, when we install things such as a sewer system, it must be accompanied by an education drive,” she said. This, she said, would counter the improper use of facilities. “Foreign objects such as TVs and sheep’s heads are constantly being found in manholes, which leads to blockages and bursting sewer pipes,” said Ndlovu.
To this end, during the campaign, the regional director deployed peer educators in the community.
Eleanor Mavimbela, external communications officer at Johannesburg Water, spoke on behalf of the peer educators. She reiterated the regional director’s sentiments. “In addition to educating the community about the proper use of manholes, we’ve also barricaded them, using orange nets to remind the community that they are off limits,” she said.
Ndlovu said they were in the process of installing bigger manholes that could alleviate the pressure exerted on the pipes and would minimize blocking.
In addition to resolving sewage issues, Ndlovu and her team took the community to task with regard to unattended leaks, water conservation, pollution and guarding against typhoid.
Ellen Mathebula, a small salon owner, said she was happy to see the improvement being made by the regional director’s team. “Sewage used to run right in front of my door, where I live and do business,” said Mathebula.
“It used to put off many of my clients and we always had to close the doors and windows because of the smell,” said the grateful mother of two.
Details: www.joburg.org.za
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