Kyalami Ridge cleans up land

A plot of open land on the corner of Begonia and Cedar roads in Kyalami Agricultural Holdings was an eyesore: it was often used as an illegal dumping place and a crime hotspot, with bodies dumped there on several occasions.

While Kyalami Ridge residents had always taken it upon themselves to cut the grass for horse riders and dog walkers, Darryl van Niekerk, a resident of the area, said the litter, rubble and broken glass needed to be removed. Van Niekerk urged the Kyalami Ridge community to support a clean-up day on the plot of land on 15 February and he was not disappointed – community members from Kyalami Agricultural Holdings and as far afield as Saddlebrooke turned up in large numbers to help.

A few days before the organised clean-up, some community members arranged for workers to begin clearing the land. Van Niekerk added that money was donated for the workers to enjoy lunch and refreshments. The community had its work cut out. The piles of rubble that were dumped on the property were removed, tree branches were trimmed and rocks were arranged to make it more aesthetically pleasing.

Van Niekerk said the aim was to make the land more accessible for riders and their horses, or for people to walk their dogs and enjoy it as a parkland. He said while the community would make some of the land more aesthetic, the long grasses and rocks at the bottom of the property would be left natural. Region A’s Pikitup donated a skip for the rubble and rubbish.

Van Niekerk is now trying to persuade the municipality – the property owners – to erect a fence around the property to prevent people from dumping on the land and using it as a crime hotspot.

By the time the community had finished at around 4pm, the land was free of rubble and looked more accessible for community members to enjoy.
Van Niekerk thanked the community for the support and help with the initiative.

Details: Darryl van Niekerk, kyalamiridge@perfectdirections.co.za

Here’s a video of the clean-up: