Elske Heyneke’s patience and perseverance were rewarded with newly installed paving on the corner of Beukes and Stephanus roads in Glen Marais.
Heyneke is a Ward 15 committee member for the elderly and disabled and has been pleading with the metro for the paving.
“My reason for the paving is the safety of nurses who work at the nearby old age homes, Allen Park and Herfsland. I realised because there was no pavement the nurses, walking from Birchleigh Railway Station or getting off from taxis on Pretoria Road, would be left to walk in the road, which has a constant and sometimes heavy flow of traffic.
“I felt that the early morning rush was too dangerous for the pedestrians.”
Heyneke said she wouldn’t have succeeded without the help of ward councillor Gideon van Zyl.
“Van Zyl fought for us as well and we appreciate all his efforts.”
The councillor was happy with the way the metro handled the project.
“The metro had a fantastic engagement with me as the ward councillor,” Van Zyl said. “They told me they wanted to do the project and asked if I knew of people in the ward that could work and help on the project under the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).
“I contacted people in the ward and all the people who worked on the project were from the community, which was an important aspect for me.”
Community members working under the EPWP collaborated with Namasango Business Enterprise, the company contracted to install the pavement.
“It is an example of the metro, councillor and the people of the community working together to achieve the goals of the community, but at the same time to create jobs,” Van Zyl said.
“This is what I want. I want the metro to come to me and inform me of projects and to seek people in our community for projects, which in turn helps community members put food on the table and skills them as well.”
EPWP member Bohlale Rantseli was among those happy to have been given the opportunity to work on the project.
“It is exciting to be part of such a project; it is really a great experience. We are improving our area of living and learning a lot,” said Rantseli.
“We are all from the Birchleigh community and working in our community makes us feel that we are contributing a huge part in uplifting our community.
“If you are unemployed and get an opportunity like this, grab it, because it is a great way to get income and gain experience.”
Heyneke concluded: “We are very happy that the pavement is finally done, and at least the nurses, community members, gardeners and all pedestrians will be much safer now.”
The pavement was completed in December.
