IN just a few months, a project to beautify a welcome wall on Royal Palm Avenue has borne fruit for the Upper Umhlanga Security Trust (UUST).

The project, spearheaded by uMhlanga resident Praveshni Harkhu, has seen a complete transformation of the area around the welcome wall, complete with a new gravel footpath for pedestrians.

Prior to the UUST’s involvement, the lettering on the wall had been stolen, and in time, the wall had become discoloured and unsightly, and had also become a hotspot for illegal dumping.

Related article: Green project in uMhlanga tackles illegal dumping

The hope now is to turn the project into a green wall with a number of indigenous plants taking up the space.

As a trustee for the non-profit organisation (NPO), Harkhu said the reception from residents has been positive.

“The transformation of this space has been amazing. I think the vision has been brought to life by Dream Gardens Durban, a local landscaping company. We feel the project is beginning to come together, and as the UUST, we look forward to the final metamorphosis. The idea for this space was to deter illegal dumping, which has been a major concern in the area behind the welcome wall and alongside it.

“The response from residents has been very complimentary, and we look forward to collaborating in other projects in order to transform certain hotspots and reclaim them, so to speak. The addition of the gravel walkway was also important to us as the entrance to Royal Palm Avenue is one of the heaviest areas of foot traffic,” she said. “They’ve made it more beautiful.”