Add a ‘spring’ to your step and join Toti revamp

According to ward 97 councillor, Andre Beetge, Amanzimtoti residents are staying true to the profound words of David Della Rocco who once said, “There are two kinds of people in this world when you boil it all down. You’ve got your talkers and your doers. Most people are just talkers, all they do is talk. But when it is all said and done, it’s the doers that change this world. And when they do that, they change us, and that’s why we never forget them. So which one are you? Do you just talk about it, or do you stand up and do something about it?”

The numerous positive changes made to the Warner Beach strip and subway bridge are evident to all who use either. This magic touch can be credited to a small cluster of hands-on locals, who are passionate about their hometown and refuse to accept the degeneration of it.

Read this: Call to unite towards Blue Flag status

“Being in both a regional and provincial leadership position, I am fortunate to extensively travel the Ethekwini wards, thus being able to compare and debate information with residents and colleagues across the metro and province,” said Beetge.

“Nothing gives me more pleasure than returning home to Amanzimtoti as, while outnumbered, our community’s number of doers – our unsung heroes of conservation, clean-ups, charity drives, service organisations, community focused projects and all round doing it just because it is the right thing – are always striving towards making a difference.”

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Beetge went on to explain that despite local media publishing weekly editorials of community involvement and achievements, an unilateral concern regarding a lack of participation from the youth in particular remains.

“The age of community driven volunteers are on the increase, but those who should be stepping up to take the reigns are sadly lacking in numbers,” remarked Beetge.

“Of further concern is our typical individualistic South African culture of refusing to pool resources with like-minded groups towards achieving a common objective. All too often people rather found new organisations, sadly at risk of ineffectiveness when membership remains contained to a four-seater coffee table. A further negative is that donors, the lifeblood of community organisations, are subjected to increased pressure and then to the point of withdrawal at risk of exploitation.”

Cllr Beetge admitted that everything comes at a price and that government’s priorities don’t necessarily always align with community specific expectations.

“As much as the talkers might insist that government (in all its spheres) remains first and foremost responsible, these projects of late are tangible evidence of successes being achieved by individuals and organisational driven community projects, not least within our own community,” said Beetge.

“One however remains amused by the bittersweet speculation of the non-participative on what could have been achieved, had this or that been done different.”

The councillor reminds residents that it is never too late to change sides and pin your colours to the correct mast. The month of September is the perfect time to tackle the challenges.

1 September (Friday) – Arrival of Spring and the start of Tourism month
11 – 16 September – Clean-up and Recycle week
15 September (Friday) – Recycle day
16 September (Saturday) – International Coastal Cleanup day
24 September (Sunday) – Heritage day
25 September (Monday) – Public holiday and bonus braai day
27 September (Wednesday) – Tourism day

“I challenge you to meet each other on the beaches, on the sporting grounds, in the fields and on the streets as we work together towards a better, cleaner and safer community, ” said Cllr Beetge. Call him on 082-718-8137.

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