We have a hero in our midst, and you will find him armed not only with a deep love for his community but also with cleaning gloves on too, making sure his community reflects the beauty he knows exists.
After numerous nominations, Patrick Kule was named Randburg Sun community hero of the month. He accepted this title with bemusement and complete appreciation for all those who see him as someone valuable in their community.
Who is Kule and why was he nominated are two questions that probably plague your mind. Well, he is the owner of Windsor East-based, Mokgotsi Laundry Services. Like any businessman, he knew one of the characteristics his business needed to succeed was an environment that invited new customers while still keeping its regulars.
A challenge to this was the huge pile of dirt situated across his business that just seemed to grow in mass. So instead of waiting for someone to do something about it, he became the change he wanted his community to positively benefit through.
Apart from the outside pile of rubbish possibly pushing people away, it was also damaging the image of the road and was a cause of concern for all in the community as it attributed negatively to their health.
With the help of various community members, this eyesore of a section was cleaned up and beautified and since this action of change took place two years ago, a non-profit organisation, Windsor Community Cleaning Association was birthed.
“It was about the well-being of the community and having seen the lack of cleanliness and increase in public dumping and seeing people comfortable to spending time in a dirty environment really agitated me,” he shared.
Kule had always wanted to be someone influential within his community, he wanted to do things that were impactful and allowed him to give back. Though the community is getting cleaner, he knows a lot more can still be done. Education around illegal dumping and littering is one component of importance to the organisation as it recognises a change of mindset is integral for the success of a clean community.
The organisation, which now boasts about 100 volunteers, has for the past two years met every Saturday to clean up their community and any other problem areas within the surrounding neighbourhoods. Their mission has always been to clean and transform Windsor and many other communities. Kule explained they were appointed by the City to help with service delivery in Ward 69, 86 and 98 to help restore cleanliness to these areas.
For them to continue making a difference in their community and the many others they plan on impacting, they need all the help they can get. “We would love businesses or the individual, just to be of help to the organisation. By donating litter bins or various other supplies can be of assistance to us,” he said.
Kule concluded when you do something from the heart, it just comes naturally. He hopes to continue to make a difference and be that change.
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