WATCH: Local business breathes life into monument
Local businesses are encouraged to restore sites around Springs.
The Memorable Order of Tin Hats’ (Moth) monument on First Street in Geduld is the next Springs heritage site to be restored.
A local business, The Savvy Brokers, took the initiative by being the principal sponsor in the monument restoration.
The project is in line with the objectives of local businesses banding together to adopt heritage sites within the city and restore it to its former glory.
“The purpose is to get people to take pride and to adopt parts of Springs to keep them clean and beautiful. Once we can get that done, Springs will return to being the jewel it once was,” said ProSafe CEO Antonio Da Cruz.
The monument was sandblasted with the help of the owner of Ezi Blast Sandblasting, Frans Prinsloo, and his team.
Johann Jungbauer, Old Bill at the Moth Windy Corner Shellhole, said this restoration brings hope as the organisation is rapidly shrinking.
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“At one stage we had over 100 000 members and now we have just over 3 500 members. Bringing this monument back to life will mean a lot, especially when we need to do our parades and observe Poppy Day in November,” he said.
Ward 74 Clr Thulani Simelane confirmed the restoration of the monument started on Monday with a clean-up and cutting of the grass.
“We were initially not aware that it was a site of historical importance as the metro has it listed as a park. Knowing what we know now, we are on board with its restoration and upkeep.
“We aim to revive all monuments in Springs as they form an important part of our town’s history, especially in the Geduld area, which has a rich historical background.
“We implore all local businesses to get involved and help this town reach new heights,” he said.
The Moth memorial was built in 1947 after WW2 under the direction of the Springs Mudhook Dugout. It forms part of a large Garden of Remembrance.
