Transformation of dumping hotspot almost complete
Work to beautify a neglected dumping hotspot on the corner of Theuns van Niekerk Street and Hendrik Verwoerd Drive has been progressing steadily since it began in April.
The area has been transformed into a vibrant, community-driven garden.
Ward 69 councillor Cindy Billson said the project has made significant strides in just a month.
'We've made solid progress,' she said.
'The path leading to the nearby bus stop has been completed, providing safe access, and the first raised flower bed has already been built.'
She said about half of the garden surface has been packed with donated dumping rock to begin shaping the area.
Billson added that one of the major highlights so far has been the generous response from the community.
'Over R63 000 worth of materials have been donated, including paving bricks, topsoil, and plants.'
She said businesses and residents have all contributed, with Lifestyle Centre donating aloe trees, while residents provided mountain aloes and other indigenous plants.
River sand and additional paving materials were also sourced through local support.
'Volunteers helped transport everything and even cared for the plants until we could plant them. It's truly a community-driven achievement,' said Billson.
With this momentum, the project is approaching its final phase.
She said the second raised flower bed still needs to be constructed, and the remaining garden surface completed.
'We need black weed cover and around 22 more bags of cement,' she said.
'If we can secure those materials, we're aiming to complete the project by the end of June.'
The garden has not only begun to take physical shape, but it has also sparked a new sense of community engagement.
Billson described the public response as overwhelmingly positive, with many residents expressing pride in seeing the space transformed.
'The sense of ownership is growing. People are proud to see this once-neglected corner becoming something beautiful,' she added.
She encouraged more residents to get involved. Interested people can contact her via WhatsApp at 079 398 6990.
As the current project nears completion, plans for future green spaces are already in motion.
'A new garden is being planned for the large roadside strip between Theuns van Niekerk and Willem Botha streets on Hendrik Verwoerd Drive.
'We've been offered paving for our next garden, which we'll be fetching soon,' Billson said.
She said the area is big and will be a major challenge, but the vision is to create a continuous stretch of green, clean, and cared-for public spaces throughout Ward 69.
Billson explained that this vision aligns with a broader strategy for urban improvement based on the Broken Windows Theory, which suggests that maintaining and monitoring urban environments prevents small crimes and deters more serious ones.
'By restoring order and beauty to neglected spaces, we discourage crime and dumping,' said Billson.
'But this next project is going to require a lot of help, and we'll be reaching out to residents and local partners to make it happen.'
Reflecting on the current project, Billson shared some key takeaways for future initiatives.
'We've seen firsthand how getting people involved creates not only ownership but safety,' she said.
She said although the project has faced challenges, among them being the lack of a formal budget, the community has responded with creativity and generosity.
'The biggest challenge is sourcing materials, but we've managed by repurposing dumped rock and arranging transport for donated goods. Every step has involved teamwork,' she said.
For Billson, the garden is more than just a beautification effort.
'We want this garden to be a space that brings pride, peace, and connection.
It improves safety around the bus stop, adds beauty to the area, and shows that positive change is possible when we work together.'
She believes it sends a clear message to residents and visitors.
'Ward 69 cares. We take ownership of our spaces, we don't tolerate decay, and we believe in building something better together.'
When the project began in April, it was still in its conceptual phase.
The site had long been a hotspot for illegal dumping, prompting Billson and residents in Eldoraigne and Rooihuiskraal North to take action.
At the time, 10 tons of river sand were needed, along with around two tons of cement stone to establish a proper roadside boundary.
'We've asked one of the shops in the area to bring us their sand from swimming pool pumps to start collecting,' she said at the time.
Fortunately, plant donations were already starting to come in from various sources.
The project design was led by Sheevan Moodley, a local resident passionate about nature and sustainability.
'I saw this as a chance to not only apply what I've learnt in my studies but also give back to the community,' he said.
Moodley focused on a modern, environmentally conscious approach, using indigenous plants, companion planting for pest control, and features like rainwater collection systems.
The garden was designed to be low-maintenance and self-sustaining and to incorporate hostile architecture elements to optimise usage.
Moodley also set up regular maintenance schedules to encourage community involvement, further strengthening the garden's sustainable foundation.
Local business owner Eben Grove of Load and Tip offered to donate materials and assist with transport.
'I felt the need to help as a way of thanking the community, as they always show up for me in times of need,' he said.
Grove believed the project would not only beautify the area but also bring people closer together.
Resident Phillip de Jager praised the effort as essential to counteracting urban neglect.
'There are already a lot of areas in the community that look like a mess, so it's extremely important for people to play a part in making the area beautiful,' he said.
He said this garden is just one of several community-led beautification projects, recalling a time when municipal gardeners maintained public spaces.
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