Garden to honour the dead, park to benefit all

It was a memorable moment when the Tekwane South Garden of Remembrance was unveiled on Thursday. This project is in honour of those who have died during the Covid-19 pandemic. The ceremony was initiated by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF), the City of Mbombela Local Municipality (CMLM) and Ehlanzeni District Municipality.

The project included the upgrading of the local park with jungle gym equipment for children to play on, a revamp of the entrance of Tekwane South as well as planting several indigenous trees around the area. The upgrading of this park and the entrance to Tekwane South is part of the City’s beautification programme.

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The main objective of this park is for recreational activities and it belongs to the community. On the day, residents came out to witness the moment and the kids were already playing on the jungle gym. Cedusizi Lungu, a resident, said it will have a tremendous impact on the community. “Young people will now have a place they can go to for entertainment.

This park can also help decrease drug abuse and teenage pregnancy in our area. The children will have something to look forward to, unlike before when this area had nothing for them to do,” she explained. The DEFF will embark on more feasible Covid-19 legacy projects as remembrance initiatives with various other municipalities. It aims to upgrade parks, plant trees and create more open spaces with trees and gardens.