IT has taken a little over a year but efforts to clean up and beautify a section of Waterkant Road has been realised thanks to a collaborative project between between the Durban North Conservancy, the Heart of Durban North, Enviro Fixers Durban North and local business Fairways Motors Convenience

It is all part of the Adopt-A-Spot programme offered by the eThekwini Municipality.

The programme is a community initiative that allows residents to adopt a piece of land owned by the municipality with the aim of maintaining and beautifying it.

The flower bed along a section of Waterkant Road is the third Adopt-A-Spot pioneered by the environmental organisation Enviro Fixers.

Also read: Local business and EnviroFixers Durban North collaborate for adopt-a-spot project

Owner of Fairways Motors Convenience Centre, Corné Pretorius, said he was pleased with how the project has transformed the area.

“While the project to beautify this section started a little over a year ago, the Adopt-A-Spot sign officially went up in December. I think the transformation has been beautiful and it’s lovely for the community. The artwork with the reverse graffiti elephants is also featured prominently, so this makes a great selfie spot.

“Thanks to this project and help from the volunteers, I’ve now gotten to a point where I know the names of some of the indigenous plants,” Pretorius said.

Jane Troughton, a member of the conservancy and Enviro Fixers, who managed the planting process, gave some background to how the project took shape.

“This has been a significant project and so much of what we do is dependent on support from local businesses. We are hoping this will encourage other businesses to also take ownership as this is the third Adopt-A-Spot we’ve facilitated. When we started the project the whole wall was covered entirely with alien invasive species. This project was also aided by the eThekwini Municipality who donated compost, and residents who donated some indigenous plants.

Also read: Upliftment project at Golden Hours school comes to fruition

“The soil initially was terrible because it has been so degraded by years of illegal dumping and rubble. I think now the plants we’ve put in the flower bed will provide interest for birds and insect life all year round. We will be delighted if other sponsors approach us to adopt other parts of Durban North. Once we have agreed a plan that includes the cost of improvement and maintenance, we will facilitate the eThekwini application process. I think this particular bed is a real standout and when it flowers it will definitely catch more eyes of residents and visitors to the area,” she said.

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