TIDY Towns has officially kicked off in Amanzimtoti after a local resident saw the way they uplifted the lower South Coast area, and they knew they could assist in restoring the pride in our town.
Tidy Towns is a community-driven project, that believes ‘together we can do so much more’. The lower South Coast community, from Shelly Beach to Margate, have been taking over the care of their beaches by replacing the paving and pathways and cleaning the beaches and grass areas.
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Reg Horne and Stephen Herbst started the initiative less than a year ago, and it has been embraced by the entire community. While individuals are playing a vital role in the restoration and clean-up projects, it is the local businesses that are putting their money up to make sure the towns stay tidy.
They have also established a relationship with their local municipality and are working towards bettering the community together by filling in the gaps where the municipality is unable to do so.
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Resident and coordinator Michelle Dunnett said Tidy Towns Amanzimtoti strives for the same support and believes that with the guidance of Horne and Herbst, problem areas can be fixed and the town and its beaches can become the beautiful tourist destination they once were.
“I was feeling frustrated at the decay around Amanzimtoti, and I noticed people complaining on Facebook about various issues, yet no one was doing anything proactive. I put a post up asking for ‘heroes who can save the town’ and received a lot of support, so I reached out to Tidy Towns.
“If they can achieve success, we can, too. We have got the most amazing town and some of the best beaches in the world. We have the potential – we’re an uncut diamond. But, one of the biggest issues that needs to be sorted out is the litter and dumping,” said Dunnett.
Shortly after Tidy Towns Amanzimtoti formed, they removed bags of litter from Ilanda Wilds, among other activities. One of their next projects is to hire a TLB excavator to remove the sand that is starting to block the entrance to Baggies Beach.
However, to undertake all their upliftment projects, they need funds and donations. Dunnett says they are in need of spades, wheelbarrows, orange cones, black bags and gloves, as well as volunteers, monetary donations or sponsorship from businesses.
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In the meantime, they are undertaking an ‘adopt-a-spot’ project, whereby residents and businesses can beautify and maintain a piece of land. Email Dunnett at info@tidytownstoti.co.za for a form, and she will then take it to the relevant municipal department.
All monetary donations will go through the Lions Club of Amanzimtoti bank account, as they are a well-established, long-standing service organisation within the community.
For more information, to volunteer or donate, contact Michelle Dunnett on 071 428 4631.
Alternatively, visit their Facebook page Tidy Towns Amanzimtoti or make a monetary donation at the following banking details: Standard Bank, Lions Club Welfare Amanzimtoti, Account number: 051568055, Galleria branch code: 051001, Reference: TTA.
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