Western Extension clean-up brings old bike track back to life
“We can all make a difference; we just need to take action.”
A collaborative effort between Heart of Benoni, a community-driven organisation and Reef Insurance Brokers has unearthed a hidden gem in the veld on the corner of Mowbray Avenue and Kimbolton Street, Western Extension.
One of the company’s directors, Andrew Lamprecht, a long-time Benoni resident and keen gardener, grew increasingly despondent about the state of the veld and the open piece of land in Railway Street behind their offices.
“Towering weeds and growing piles of litter was all you could see. It was a miserable sight,” he said.
Instead of giving in to pessimism, Andrew and his team jumped into action, by assisting the Heart of Benoni to tame the overgrown patches of land.
What transpired during the three-week clean-up has resulted in the Western Extension community now enjoying the expansive veld and the newly restored educational bike track.
“I remember the bike track in the vicinity,” Andrew said.
“We were overjoyed when the team unearthed this gem, hidden under rubble. After clearing the area, we painted road markings and curbs.”
Admiring their work, Lehlohonolo Nkosi, one of the cleaning team members, said it was exciting to see children from neighbouring properties flocking to the track.
“First, they walked along the track, inspecting every corner. It did not take long before they returned with toy cars and bikes to play,” he said with a smile.
“We thought we would ensure the park is well kept for the community’s safety; we did not think we would contribute to children making memories.”
January Saikonde said for many years the park attracted unsavoury characters.
“The long grass offered a hiding place for drug dealing and abuse,” he said.
“Within weeks, we eradicated these hiding places. People now come here to enjoy their lunch and kids engage in spirited soccer matches. It is so nice to hear laughter.”
“Poverty, drug abuse and underground criminality stigmatise inner-city living,” said Natasha Zaayman, of Heart of Benoni.
“It is easy to give into this thinking when streets are strewn with litter, curbs are over-grown and the area appears dilapidated.
“However, when business, community and organisations take hands to engage in small daily projects, we can rejuvenate these spaces.”
She said if every CBD-based business committed to ‘sweep in front of their own door’, the heart of the city would become increasingly more inviting.
“Negativity is contagious, but so is positivity,” said Zaayman.
“It did not take long for the Western Extension community to appreciate the beauty of the Mowbray and Railway avenues’ open velds.
“Since the clean-up and subsequent maintenance of the areas, illegal dumping has lessened and the spaces are being enjoyed.
“For some, this project may seem insignificant, but it can create a ripple effect of other rejuvenation activities.”
Zaayman encouraged the business community to contribute to the Heart of Benoni NPO.
“Clean-up and rejuvenation initiatives rely on financial support,” she said.
“Monetary contributions assist us in acquiring equipment and creating job opportunities and will ensure regular clean-ups and maintenance.
“Together we can transform the Benoni CBD and surrounding areas.”
For more information or to pledge your support, email heartofbenoni@gmail.com
ALSO READ: Dedicated pair puts heart and soul into Benoni CBD
ALSO READ: Western Extension informal soccer pitch in the works
