The Bryanston East Community Forum (BEFC) encourages residents to help them complete the installation of bollards along Hans Crescent to uplift the area and prevent illegal dumping.
The initiative began on Spruit Day when 150 wooden bollards were installed along this section of the Braamfontein Spruit.
Active community member, Jen Bedford-Shaw said, “The project aims to uplift the area we live in and encourages more people to use it and keep it clean. The dumping encourages criminal activity and so the installation of bollards helps to clean up the area and get it on an upward spiral where people feel safe.”
BECF chairperson, Ian Tumiel said the bollards cost R10 000 to install and they need an additional 50 bollards to complete the project.
To raise the extra funds, Tumiel is encouraging community members to contribute financially to the cost of the project. As a way of recognising contributors and making the project more aesthetically pleasing, donors will have their names or the names of a loved one, written on a locally-crafted sunflower, which will be attached to each bollard.
“One of the reasons we decided to do the flower was to make people feel that these areas are open to them and the community. Areas like our green belts are there to be enjoyed. Due to the lack of maintenance, many of these places have been neglected and become an eyesore and places residents don’t feel safe going to,” said Tumiel.
He added that the bollards are more aesthetically pleasing than fencing that has been installed in other areas.
Local artist, Winterton James, who has been in the business of crafting for more than 20 years, was commissioned to make the beautiful sunflowers. He runs a business from the corner of William Nicol Drive and Main Road.
Bedford-Shaw added that the project not only raises money but awareness of the need to maintain the spruit.
Details: To make a contribution to the project and put up a personalised sunflower, visit www.becf.co.za/flowers/
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