Latest news with #ReASpana
The Citizen
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Tshwane's war on urban decay gains momentum in Pretoria North
The metro's intensified campaign against urban decay has gained visible traction in Pretoria North, where residents, municipal officials, and community leaders have joined forces to reclaim and restore spaces through the Re A Spana programme. Region 1, covering Pretoria North, became the largest target in the metro's accelerated service delivery campaign on May 16. The clean-up effort, which took place at the corner of Emily Hobhouse Avenue and President Steyn Street near Monument Park, saw municipal workers clearing overgrown vegetation, fixing potholes, removing illegal dumping, and addressing neglected infrastructure. The programme is a cross-functional metro initiative that brings together teams from different departments to tackle service delivery backlogs and urban neglect. Pretoria North has seen increasing challenges related to illegal dumping, pothole-ridden streets, broken infrastructure, and unmanaged green spaces, fuelling urban decay and negatively impacting property values, safety, and community morale. Ward 2 Councillor Meyer, who recently hosted a successful clean-up on Daan de Wet Nel, praised the residents and volunteers who have actively contributed in cleaning up the area. 'The community spirit in Ward 2 is unmatched. 'We don't sit back and complain; we show up, we work together, and we fix what's broken.' Community members are encouraged to attend future clean-up events, report problem areas, and maintain public spaces through neighbourhood watch groups and civic forums. With Pretoria North now visibly cleaner and more functional, residents and officials alike are optimistic that the momentum will continue, not just as a campaign, but as a culture of care and accountability. Meyer said potholes were fixed, including those on Gerrit Maritz, Koos de la Rey, Rachel de Beer, and President Steyn. 'Streetlights were repaired across Ward 2 and on main roads. Water leaks were also repaired, and electricity faults were addressed. 'We had the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) inspect spaza shops and enforce by-laws. We haven't seen such a repair blitz in years, and for that, we appreciate the metro for the service delivery,' said Meyer. Resident Iris Ntombela said what the metro has done has brought light back to Pretoria North. 'I usually describe this area as a dark place, due to the neglect we are experiencing as residents. 'I saw they fixed the streetlights at Gerrit Maritz near Checkers because motorists were doing as they pleased in that area. We want the metro to continue providing services because at the end of the day, we pay rates and we deserve better.' Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
30-04-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Tshwane cleans up cemeteries after public outcry
Despite the absence of a contractor to maintain cemeteries, the Tshwane metro has made significant strides in cleaning and cutting grass at cemeteries across Centurion, using its internal workforce to address long-standing concerns raised by the community. Spokesperson Lindela Mashigo confirmed that although the tender for general cemetery maintenance is still pending, internal capacity is currently being used to carry out this essential work. 'Tender for general maintenance of cemeteries has not been secured, and currently, the city is using internal capacity for general maintenance of cemeteries,' he said. He noted that all cemeteries in Region 4, which includes Centurion, were maintained in April and that grass-cutting is ongoing. 'Grass cutting is continuing as and when required.' Region 4: Grass cutting at Centurion, Laudium, and Olievenhoutbosch cemeteries.#ReASpana #TshwaneAtWork — Obakeng COT MMC Environmental Agriculture . (@RamaboduObakeng) March 12, 2025 Mashigo said that the metro plans to maintain these cemeteries monthly going forward, with priority given to those most in need. He emphasised that there has been no illegal dumping or theft at Region 4 cemeteries in recent weeks. For some residents, these efforts have not gone unnoticed. Tshepo Nkadimeng, a resident of Olievenhoutbosch, expressed his satisfaction with the current state of the cemetery in his area. Clean-up operation of cemeteries is underway across the city. Some progress work at Olievenhoutbosch Cemetery, in Region 4. @CityTshwane — Dr Nasiphi Moya (@nasiphim) April 16, 2025 Keeping our cemeteries clean reflects respect for our loved ones. 🌱 Region 4 teams are hard at work cutting grass in Centurion and Olievenhoutbosch cemeteries, ensuring serene and dignified resting place#CommunityCare #RespectOurCemeteries #ReASpana @CityTshwane — Kholofelo Morodi (@kholofeloMorodi) March 7, 2025 'I honestly have to give credit where it's due. For the first time in a long time, I visited the cemetery last weekend and was pleased to see that the grass had been cut properly. 'It makes such a big difference,' he said. Nkadimeng stated that the cemetery feels peaceful and respectable again. 'In the past, we were used to seeing knee-high grass and having to clear the area around our family members' graves ourselves. This time, I didn't even need to bring a weed cutter or broom – everything was already in order,' he said. Nkadimeng added that the improved condition of the cemetery has made it easier for families to mourn without distraction. 'It shows that someone is paying attention. We are now more comfortable going to visit graves, and that's how it should be.' He noted that cemeteries aren't just open land, as they hold deep emotional value for all of those whose loved ones are laid there. Nkadimeng said he hopes that this level of care continues because it restores dignity to the cemetery. Early in January, frustrated residents raised complaints to call the attention of the metro to poor cemetery maintenance in Centurion. At the time, families were concerned about the overgrown grass, illegal dumping, and even safety risks due to criminal activity. Resident Sarah Botha, whose mother is buried at the Centurion cemetery, said she was uneasy there. 'I feel scared to visit my mother's grave. The tall grass makes it look abandoned. I've also heard stories about people being robbed there, and it's terrifying to think that I could be a target while I'm just trying to mourn,' she said at the time. Another resident, Thabo Nkosi, said it was heartbreaking to see the condition of the cemetery while his loved ones lay there. 'This is a sacred place for us, and seeing the cemetery in this state is scary,' he said. 'I want to honour my father's memory, but it's hard to do that in such a neglected environment.' Elderly widow Jane van der Merwe highlighted the issue of accessibility. She said she has had to bring her tools to clean her husband's grave. 'It's not just about the grass being long; it's about being able to pay my respects properly. The lack of maintenance is truly disheartening.' ALSO READ: Residents encouraged to get vaccine ahead of flu season Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
