Community pressure to fix Willard Beach’s public ablutions prompted the KwaDukuza municipality to launch its Adopt-a-Facility programme last week.

The programme follows campaigning by #HappyLoos founders Bev Mileham and Mel Manson, who have pushed for better maintenance of the beach’s public ablution facilities.

Their efforts helped catalyse the partnership model now being implemented at Willard Beach. Local artist Karien van der Wal also created surfboard artwork that is featured on the ablution doors.

The Adopt-a-Facility model aims to strengthen collaboration between KDM, community groups and adopting partners. The programme focuses on improving oversight, enabling early fault reporting, reducing vandalism and neglect to create cleaner, safer and better-maintained public spaces.

READ: Ballito residents and KDM team up to fix Willard Beach toilets | North Coast Courier

Describing the launch as a historic moment in community-municipality relations, mayor Siduduzo Gumede emphasised the importance of co-operation.

“This is a ground-breaking partnership between the community and the municipality,” said Gumede.

“Today we recognise what is possible when residents and the municipality work side by side.”

He also acknowledged the role of community activism in driving the initiative forward.

ALSO READ: Beachgoers flush with frustration over poor North Coast toilets | North Coast Courier

“I must extend my heartfelt appreciation to Mrs Mileham, who stood tall at the last imbizo,” he said.

“Her passionate call for KDM to strengthen a genuine community partnership sparked this journey.”

Gumede encouraged more partners to join the stewardship programme to adopt additional public spaces.

“This project is about building active citizenship and restoring dignity to our public facilities by creating a sense of shared ownership,” he said.

Optimistic about the momentum created, Mileham added: “We are not stopping here; we are looking forward to rolling out more projects. I want Ballito to be the happiest town in the country, that is my purpose.”

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