Besides its financial challenges, the Rand West SPCA buildings are in desperate need of a fresh coat of paint. Illegal dumping near the premises is also a major issue.
This was identified by the municipality during their planned visit to the premises on International Mandela Day on Thursday, 18 July.
Sphiwe Mathumbo, a supervisor at the Rand West City Local Municipality (RWCLM) explained that the SPCA was one of two organisations to benefit by their Mandela Day initiatives, the other being the Life Esidimeni Recovery Centre.
The day started out at the SPCA where the gravel road leading its offices were graded and shrubs as well as bushes were pruned. Refuse was also removed.
According to Sphiwe, they are in the process of putting up signs that prohibit dumping. Anyone caught dumping illegally may face a fine of up to R1 500.
Workers from the waste department and other stakeholders worked tirelessly for almost two hours to clean up various illegal dumping sites next to the gravel road towards the SPCA. At least two large trucks were filled to capacity with rubbish to make the area around the SPCA more welcoming and clean.
But the municipality said it would not end there. Sphiwe said the municipality is fully committed to supporting the local animal safe haven going forward.
“A paint job is definitely on the cards,” Sphiwe concluded.
The team then moved to the Life Esidimeni Recovery Centre where another clean-up took place and the recreation hall was painted.
According to Hlengiwe Mojaje, social worker at the centre, “Today meant a lot. The facility is deteriorating and patients will benefit as a clean, tidy and painted premises will make them feel better.”
She added that lots still need to be done on the premises though, but that they are looking at doing more projects in future.
Sphiwe added, “Our outreach programme for this year’s Mandela Day celebrations was a collaborative effort that included various stakeholders, including Vine Leaf Networks (main sponsor), the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Recreation and Culture, SPCA, Life Esidimeni Recovery Centre, the Herald, Albany, Metal Print & Signs, Energade, Aranda, Busmark, RPA and other local organisations.”
He said the objectives of the programme were to celebrate the legacy of Nelson Mandela and promote the spirit of collaborative governance; create awareness of the great work being done by both centres; rally support from communities, the corporate sector and other government departments to assist the centres to achieve their goals; promote an active and healthy lifestyle; address the stigma attached to rehabilitated substance abusers; and assist with integrating rehabilitated youth into society.
Activities continued at the Life Esidimeni Recovery Centre until Saturday, 20 July. A Sports Day started at 8am and included soccer, netball, volleyball and Indigenous Games, and ended after noon.
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