GREEN was the predominant colour on Swapo Road (Broadway) and Adelaide Tambo Drive (Kensington) on Saturday as an army of volunteers chipped in to make a difference.
Residents, business owners (spearheaded by Kensington SuperSPAR), alongside the Durban North Conservancy, members of Enviro Fixers Durban North and the newly formed collective, The Heart of Durban North, were at the heart of the cleaning and greening project in the area’s business district.
Jane Troughton, a member of the conservancy, said the collective was officially launched over the weekend.
“We are in the heart of the Durban North business district, hence the name we chose. It really was borne out of the fact that, since March, there have been no services rendered by the municipality. There’s been no weeding of the flower beds and litter was not being picked up. We formed this collective because we felt action needed to be taken. Unless property and business owners take ownership of the area, then it would literally go to the dogs. Our aim now is to keep the district green, clean and beautiful. I was thrilled to see how many people of all backgrounds responded to our clarion call.
“It’s not just people invested in the business district, but individuals around the greater Durban North area giving back. Several flowerbeds have been given a total makeover. We’ve been on a drive to pick up litter wherever we find it and we planted several Dietes and and Tulbhaghia that the Parks Department donated to the cause. The rest of the indigenous, water-wise plants and compost was purchased and donated by Enviro Fixers, the conservancy and the new Heart of Durban North.
“We want a precinct where people feel safe to walk. We need to put our footprint all over the area. This can be achieved by litter-free, well-maintained roads with flowerbeds full of colour and diversity. We are literally asking residents and business owners to take back our streets,” she said.
Troughton said plans were afoot to formalise the collective and hopes that all of the business owners will join the collective, with the aim of employing local people for the maintenance and upkeep of the area.
Durban North residents are invited to follow the collective on Facebook and Instagram to keep abreast of its exciting plans and projects. Follow them on Instagram @the_heart_of_durban_north or ‘The Heart of Durban North’ on Facebook.
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