Adopt a spot and make a difference
These programmes not only improve the environment but also foster a sense of community pride and involvement.
DOING their bit to upkeep The Bluff, St Margaret’s Presbyterian Church adopted the ‘Destiny Traffic Island’ situated at the corner of Marine Drive and Grays Inn Road on The Bluff, which they have been maintaining for the past four years.
Keith Flack, an elder of the church, said that in October 2019, they decided to get involved in the City’s Adopt-A-Spot initiative, following the construction of a whale, Destiny, by the Sodurba Community Tourism Organisation (CTO) on the traffic island, as well as an enclosure which was built around it, and succulents, such as spekboom and aloe vera, which were planted in the enclosure.
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“We decided to look after the general appearance of the area. When the church took over the area, it was a case of trying to find the grass among the weeds, and the extraordinary number of devil thorns. Keeping an area free of litter is relatively easy when compared to trying to keep it free of weeds, but we are pleased to say we have almost reached our goal. We are now happy to say it is a case of finding a few,” he said.
Flack said he now challenged other churches and organisations on The Bluff to get involved in such initiatives.
“We have managed to achieve so much despite being a small congregation with limited resources. However, we have the mindset that this is our area, and we will slowly but steadily transform it. If others could think as such, imagine how we could transform The Bluff.
“While annual clean-ups are nice, I say rather adopt a spot and slowly transform it, which will, in fact, keep the suburb beautiful all the time. We are also creating value-added employment in the process by employing people in need of an income to maintain the area, he said.
Helga du Preez, chairperson of the Sodurba Community Tourism Organisation (CTO), added, “The church has done an amazing job since they have come on board following the launch of the whale. They have managed the upkeep of the area, keeping it clean and tidy, even throughout the Covid-19 Pandemic.
“Where there is determination, success can be achieved. The organisation would like to encourage the community and business owners to come forth and adopt spots. Be the change-makers in your community.”
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