Lodeyko residents cut grass amidst safety concerns
The community members got together to try and make the area safe again by cutting the long grass.
Community members of Lodeyko got together for a grass-cutting initiative on Friday.
The patch of land that received some much-needed maintenance is situated behind the residential area of Lodeyko and overlooks Laerskool Werda and Springs Technical High School.
This initiative was started because concerned parents and residents have been worried about their safety and that of their children due to vagrants.
The long grass also poses as a possible nesting ground for snakes. Antoinette Ryneveld, one of the organisers, said they feel as if that place is not safe for their children anymore.
“Our children could get mugged or worse things could happen. It is not safe. I am a mother to a girl, and I constantly worry for her safety and well-being. This is the reason why we are doing this,” she says.
Laerskool Werda’s principal Jaco Lombard said it’s about time the grass got cut because it doesn’t look pleasing or safe.
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“My first concern is always my learners. Their safety and happiness are important to ensure a positive learning experience so we must do what we can,” he added.
Lodeyko resident Hendrik van der Merwe supplied the diesel that was needed to operate the grass-cutting. Ivanhoë Oosthuizen from Elco Steel also assisted the community with the initiative.
Members of Mabanda Informal Settlement brought their gardening tools to also help collect the cut grass and put it into refuse bags.
“We would also like to extend a special thank you to Nicholette Isaacs, Jacques Norton, Nickey Julius and Elizabeth de Klerk for being the voice of the community and helping us organise this day.
“The list of contributors to this initiative is too long but we thank the community members of Lodeyko for coming together and supporting this worthy cause,” says Ryneveld.
