Members of the Kelvin Residents Association are pleased with the progress made in their suburb since starting the Beautify Kelvin project in April last year.
Seano Naidoo, who took the lead in the project to clean up the overgrown suburb said, “It’s no good that the gardens on our properties are clean, but as soon as you step into the street, everything else is unkempt.”
Through collaboration with the City of Joburg and services such as Pikitup, the project has taken off with success. “We now engage directly with the City of Joburg for all our concerns, approaching them with a desire for collaboration… Through the Kelvin Residents Association, we gather support and get residents to take ownership of security and care for their area.”
The association began with a project to cut trees that were overgrown and interfering with cables and becoming dangerous. Naidoo contacted Wendell Africa of City Parks and was impressed with his initiative, speedy response and desire to follow up with the community.
They also hosted a community clean-up of the run-down Meadway Sports Club and park last year, garnering support from Pikitup, residents and City Parks to thin out foliage and clean up rubbish.
Empowering teenage girls through sport
Kelvin Residents Association chairperson Luewellyn Pillay said he was pleased by how the initiative brought residents out of their houses and into public spaces to interact with their neighbours. “We want to drive community involvement. People are keen and interested in our projects but need an excuse to get more involved,” he said.
The association also hosted a Kelvin nature project which taught children from the neighbourhood how to develop gardens and care for the environment.
“By cleaning up the community, the community is now coming to the party,” said Naidoo. “They own it and take control of it. We need the manpower of residents to get involved and take control of the area… We want people to stop complaining about government and find ways to engage with accountable entities.”
She added that they now received superior service from the City of Joburg and were looking to re-engage with the new mayor and hold the appropriate people accountable for service delivery.
Details: If you would like to get involved in the Kelvin Residents Association, contact Luewellyn Pillay via email Luewellyn@mykelvin.org.za
Talk to us by posting on our timeline, Sandton Chronicle or tweeting us @Sandton_News
