Clean-up restores safety in settlement
A community clean-up at a busy Fourways intersection has restored safety and dignity, with both residents and traders praising the transformation of the once overgrown and unsafe area.
Informal settlers from the settlement at the corner of Witkoppen Road and Winnie Mandela Drive in Fourways say they now feel safer after a clean-up led by the Lovemore Foundation, in partnership with Fourways Mall.
The clean-up, led by foundation founder Lovemore Robson, targeted an area that had become heavily overgrown and littered, raising safety concerns for residents.
Read more: Residents relieved after clean-up clears overgrown Fourways informal settlement
According to Robson, the intervention forms part of an ongoing Fourways clean-up programme, aimed at restoring neglected public spaces.
The team carried out extensive work, including cutting long grass, removing weeds, trimming vegetation, and collecting litter across the settlement and surrounding areas, including sections near a nearby taxi route. Residents say the changes have already made a meaningful difference.
Amos Maluleki, who lives in the settlement, said the overgrown vegetation had created unsafe living conditions. “We are very excited about the clean-up because now we feel safe. The long weeds and grass had grown around our shacks, and it was dangerous. It attracted animals like snakes, and there were many mosquitoes.”
He added that the dense vegetation made it difficult for residents, including children, to move around safely. Maluleki said the community is now committed to maintaining the area.
Also read: Restore Sunninghill kicks off 2026 with safety clean-up drive
“We will try to clean up after ourselves and make sure the place stays clean.”
Robson added that the project is still ongoing, saying that they want to employ the settlers to continue with the clean-up. “I want them to learn how to clean up after themselves, while making money.”
He said the initiative is about more than just cleaning; it’s about restoring dignity and safety for communities. “It makes me happy to see the place looking clean and safe again. When we clean these spaces, we are helping the whole community.”
One trader, who works near the intersection, said the area is now more inviting and safer for people passing through. “The clean-up has made a big difference. Before, it was dirty and overgrown, and customers didn’t feel comfortable stopping here. Now, the area looks much better and safer for everyone.”
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