Future City Fourways team places pot plants to stop taxis parking on pedestrian sidewalks on Winnie Mandela Drive

Have you ever strolled down a busy street and felt a bit of fear that a car might suddenly veer into your path because vehicles were parked on either side of the street? This is a concern shared by many residents as they navigated Winnie Mandela Drive, particularly at the intersection where it meets Sunrise Boulevard in Lonehill.

The chaotic arrangement of parked taxis created a narrow passageway, forcing pedestrians to tread cautiously, acutely aware of their surroundings as they approached the corner.

Also read: Taxi Association proposes a solution to parking issues in Fourways

But Hans Jooste, the general manager of Future City Fourways (FCF), a non-profit company, has, together with his team, come up with a solution.

“Our members raised their concerns about taxis starting to rank on the sidewalk on the road. Pedestrians had to start walking on the road at the slipway with no view of oncoming vehicles and were nearly run over.

“Motorists coming down Sunrise Boulevard and turning right onto Winnie Mandela Drive could also not see if there was oncoming traffic. We thought the perfect solution would most probably be to plant concrete bollards, but that would have entailed digging holes on the paved sidewalk, for which we did not have permission as it is a Gauteng Roads Department road.”

Also read: Residents are fed up with taxi driver’s poor parking in Fourways

He said they shelved this first solution and moved onto a second one, simply putting something acceptable down to prevent the taxis stopping on the sidewalk, hence pot plants.

“We approached Farm Nursery, also a FCF member, for assistance. The owners of the nursery donated the pots and we, as FCF, sourced plants.” The FCF then cemented the pots onto the pavement. Jooste said by doing this, they were able to achieve two goals, the taxis can`t park on the sidewalk at the intersection anymore, making it safe for everyone to use it, and it complements the area.

“FCF have planted many donated plants in the immediate area and care for them. The plants at the top of Sunset Avenue and Sunrise Boulevard, adjacent to Builders Warehouse, are an example. As well as the plants next to McDonald’s on the corner of Sunrise Boulevard and Winnie Mandela Drive. Rebothile Tlomatsana, from FCF, waters all the plants and cares for them.”

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