Paddadam exposed by random blaze
"We have had a meeting with the Director of Community Services, Ms Bongiwe Mnikathi, who is now acting Municipal Manager, to get her permission to restart the Paddadam clean-up project."
FIRE recently ravaged a section of the Paddadam, burning a large stretch of the reed overrun area to the ground.
Although the incident could have led to disaster, it could very well be considered somewhat of a blessing in disguise. The affected area, which was previously dense with high reeds, once provided adequate means to conceal criminal or nefarious activity.
The blaze, which was eventually kept under control by Vryheid Neighbourhood Watch, also exposed sections of the Paddadam which had been worked on in previous attempts to renovate the once popular park to its former glory.
Former Chairman of the AbaQulusi Residents’ Association, Doug Grewar, who has worked tirelessly at getting the community and local municipality involved in this worthwhile endeavour, had the following to say on social media:
“We have had a meeting with the Director of Community Services, Ms Bongiwe Mnikathi, who is now acting Municipal Manager, to get her permission to restart the Paddadam clean-up project.”
“She has called her environmental consultants to a meeting with her and us on Tuesday, July 21…” he continued. “The Paddadam Patrons’ team also has its own environmental consultants, namely Andre van der Walt and Alex Wood, so we will also invite them to the meeting and other team members also.”
Grewar added, “In her temporary position as municipal manager, Ms Mnikathi can also possibly help us with some machinery but we hope all our 2014 supporters will come to the party once again with their money, machines, diesel, workers and so on. Ms Mnikathi says she is also aware of the R100 000 grant that councillors can get for community projects in their wards, so Ward 9 Councillor, Bennie Hancke, please chase that money up for our project.”
“With any sort of luck we can start again next week.” concluded Grewar.
