Residents brought plants, tools and energy to Westdene Dam on October 10 for ‘Mind Your Dam Business’, a community planting project aimed at improving the neglected public space and encouraging people to return and enjoy their public spaces again.

The initiative focused on planting in three garden beds that locals felt had been neglected by the council. Community members also worked together to improve the area around the children’s play space, hoping to make it more welcoming for families and other visitors.

Read more: Community members clean up Braamfontein Spruit at Alberts Farm Conservancy

Westdene resident Anthony Bosman said the planting project formed part of a broader effort to improve the dam and its surroundings.

As part of the preparations, residents had been pushing for overgrown grass along the paths to be cut back.

Bosman said that, in some places, grass had grown so far over the paving that pedestrians could barely see the path.

He hoped that improving the garden beds and surrounding area would encourage more people to visit the dam again, explaining that the planting project was linked to other community efforts, including the clean-up of a memorial area.

Residents were also working on improving the surrounding greenery, aiming to connect local projects and rejuvenate the area.

He said the community response to the planting day exceeded his expectations. The initiative was initially shared through the I Love Westdene community group, with a small group of about 12 activists involved in organising local projects.

Also read: Building community pride through Melville clean-ups

However, word spread and more residents came forward to offer assistance.

Bosman said he was surprised to see people arriving with plants and asking how they could help, despite the event not having been widely publicised.

About 15 community members worked in the garden during the morning, contributing their time and effort to the project. For Bosman, the turnout demonstrated the willingness of residents to get involved when given an opportunity to improve their neighbourhood.

@caxtonjoburgnorth Westdene resident Anthony Bosman speaks on the ‘Mind Your Dam Business’ planting initiative at Westdene Dam on October 10, 2026. Video: Waydon Jacobs #community #Joburg #Viral #cleanup #garden ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North

He hopes the planting initiative will encourage more people to return to Westdene Dam and support further projects in the area.

The goal is to build on the community’s efforts so that the dam can once again become a welcoming place for residents to gather and enjoy.

Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates!