Metro is responsible for upkeeping public spaces but …

Recent years have seen the emergence of community and business-driven clean-up projects aimed at beautifying and restoring the city’s public spaces to its former glory.

Armed with gardening equipment, brooms and enthusiasm, volunteers have collected litter and cut grass, all in the name of taking ownership of their neighbourhoods.

However, the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini reminds residents that these are all duties that form part of the council’s mandate.

“Keeping the environment and our cities clean is everyone’s business but the cleaning and cutting of the grass in public spaces owned by the CoE remains the responsibility of the council,” he said.

“While we appreciate the efforts of independent groups, cleaning public spaces, filling potholes is greatly discouraged, as the local authority has standards to maintain.”

Samantha Choles, one of the founding members of the Litter Bugs initiative, has for the past seven years rallied the support of the Atlasville and Farrarmere communities to participate in monthly clean-up campaigns focusing on public spaces such as Homestead Dam and the Atlasville Spruit.

The initiative was born because Choles became increasingly dissatisfied with the parks continuously strewn with litter.

“If the metro cuts the grass, members of the parks department would merely run the tractors over the rubbish, resulting in smaller pieces of litter fluttering into the spruit and dam,” said Choles.

“I grew tired of seeing this and saw it as an opportunity to invest in the spaces I value. The project has gone from strength to strength and we have up to 25 volunteers, including school children lending a hand.”

To date, Litter Bugs has dedicated 132 hours to the cause, collecting 2 000 bags of rubbish and collecting glass separately, which has been recycled.

“I think it is vital for communities to get involved with the cleanliness of their open spaces. Initiatives like this have proven to have a lasting effect not only on the environment but on how we as residents co-exist,” she said.

“The metro needs to remain accountable for public spaces but as a community, we need to continue making them aware of the duties they may be neglecting by reporting service delivery issues, using the correct channels.”

Alison Etherington, of the recently founded Clean Projects, reiterated that community-based projects play a pivotal role in restoring public spaces that have been neglected by the metro.

Since its inception, Clean Projects has garnered widespread support both from the community and local businesses that deem it fit to contribute financially to its ongoing work.

Consisting of volunteers, the project first set its sights on the intersection of Pretoria Road and Fifth Avenue, Northmead.

Following months of work, the group has removed overgrowth from gullies, planted grass and created water-wise gardens on centre islands.

“Through donations, we have acquired brush cutters as well as a tractor which is used to cut overgrown public spaces and maintain it,” said Etherington.

“We have employed a full-time worker to assist with the maintenance of areas we have worked on, but hope to extend it to more teams.

“We had positive meetings with heads of the various departments, which will allow us to continue with our work in partnership with the metro.”

Etherington added that Clean Projects take great pride in its work in improving the overall appearance of a city its residents love.

“In a perfect world, the metro should perform these duties. Unfortunately, it seems to have been placed on the back burner,” she said.

“We are no longer standing on the side lines complaining about the lack of service delivery, we are dedicating our time to take action and get involved.”

Specifications
Ward 27 Clr Lornette Joseph and a team of volunteers spent Freedom Day (April 27) at the Northmead Clinic tending to the grounds.

Joseph conceded that the metro’s parks department has not cut any section of grass within the ward since 2022.

“I applaud communities for getting involved and doing work which should be funded by their rates and taxes. However, it is important that these groups continue to operate within the confines of the CoE by-laws,” she said.

“In terms of pothole repairs, certain specifications must be met to avoid liability as a result of damage or injury resulting from unauthorised repairs.

“It is advised that members of the community continue to report matters such as potholes and blocked storm water drains through the correct municipal channels to receive a reference number.”

Joseph confirmed the metro’s roads department at this stage does not have the necessary funds to procure tar, but does have qualified teams to complete the work.

“I have reached an agreement with the head of the department that an engineer, as well as teams, would be made available to complete pothole repairs should the community be willing to purchase the required tar.

“This is by no means an ideal situation but for now it is a commitment to get service delivery on track.

“Reference numbers relating to potholes as well as the address can be sent to me directly or via the community WhatsApp groups.”

Joseph said she was grateful for the community’s efforts.

“We are proving incredible things can be achieved when communities stand united,” she said.

“To ensure that these projects continue unhindered, I urge residents, community groups and businesses to communicate details of their projects with the relevant ward councillor who can further supply them with guidelines relating to the municipal by-laws.

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