This contradicts Dersley residents who complain about the neglect of the rose garden.
These residents aired their views on how the roses are being pruned and believe it is not done correctly.
However, Parsons says he could not find fault with the way the roses are pruned, because the proof is in the number of flowers on the rose bushes.
Vilakazi Garden Services are contracted by the Ekurhuleni Metro to maintain the flower beds.
Derrik Vilakazi, owner of the garden services, says they do prune the roses to the best of their ability.
He agrees with Parsons, that the number of flowers are the proof.
“Unfortunately we do depend on rainwater mainly since we do not have access to water on Paul Kruger Highway,” he says.
He believes getting a water tank to fit on the back of his bakkie will solve the problem.
Vilakazi says they receive compost from the Ekurhuleni Metro twice a year and added compost to the rose beds in January.
This is an exercise they will repeat once they receive compost again in September.
Ward councillor Ramesh Sheodin claims the municipality is busy upgrading that very spot where the rose garden is.
He believes all the concerns raised regarding Paul Kruger Highway will be adequately addressed.
“I will take up the issue of regularly watering and pruning plants that are going to be planted there with the metro,” he says.
Ekurhulenu Metro’s mayoral spokesman Zweli Dlamini, says the Paul Kruger flower beds will be revamped in the near future as there is a maintenance plan in place.
“We will also look into replacing trees on this highway in the near future,” he says.
