Beautifying Durban North, verge by verge
Entwistle encouraged residents to take care of their verges and do their bit for the environment.
PLANTING trees and restoring Durban North to the green, leafy suburb it once was is Ellysa Entwistle’s mission.
Together with Enviro Fixers Durban North, Durban North Conservancy and Smile and Wave, Entwistle has gotten rid of the alien invasive weeds on Lothian Road and is enhancing the patch with trees and indigenous shrubs so that monkeys, butterflies and other wildlife have a habitat once again.
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“This verge was a disaster, full of invasive plants. There was a lot of illegal dumping prior to this and homeless people used the area to sleep,” she said.
“Although I am managing the project, it is a joint effort through Enviro Fixers, Smile and Wave, Durban North Conservancy, Spade Design Centre and the community. Spade Design Centre has sponsored some of the plants, grass and ground cover and the Parks Department has given us 50 trees to plant in and around Durban North,” said Entwistle.
Aloes, spekboom, aristida grass, lampranthus and carporprutus, sponsored by Spade Design Centre, have been planted.
“We decided to go the indigenous route as its low maintenance and doesn’t require a lot of watering. Spekboom is an air purifier and it’s also edible,” said Denzil Burmester of Spade Design Centre.
“Since the landscaping began, the illegal dumping has stopped. We want to beautify the area and attract the wild life,” she said.
Three olive tress and a wild plum tree have also been planted to bring shade and cool the environment. “The wild plum is for the monkeys and bird life,” said Burmester.
“Plant a tree, clean up the outside of your property and if you are in need of a tree, contact me,” she said.
Entwistle can be contacted on 083 603 0953.
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