Municipal support looks promising in Paddadam project
"Mr Dlamini pointed out that the ALM should be taking the lead on this project," wrote Grewar, "and we agreed with him because that is what we pay rates for. We pointed out that for whatever reasons the Paddadam had been neglected for many years and had become a dumping ground for rubbish and even builders rubble."
ON TUESDAY, July 21, municipal officials met with Doug Grewar and Bennie Hancke at the Paddadam to discuss the way forward.
‘Project Paddadam‘ or the Paddadam clean up project was started last year and Doug Grewar has been pivotal in following it through, despite several setbacks in the interim.
“We had a positive meeting at Paddadam yesterday,” wrote Grewar on social media, following the meeting with municipal representatives. “It was attended by Ms Bongiwe Mnikathi, the ALM Director of Community Services, who is presently the acting Municipal Manager; Ward 9 Councillor, Bennie Hancke; Ms Nokubonga Kunene, the ALM environmental manager; Siyabonga Dlamini, an environmental management expert from Pretoria who is based at Ulundi; Jackie Xulu, an ALM Community Services supervisor; Elaine Rodway from the Vryheid Herald; Steven Grewar and myself.”
While the community has stepped in to tackle the formidable task of restoring the park and its facilities, the responsibility, in point of fact, falls squarely upon the shoulders of the municipality to maintain the Paddadam.
“Mr Dlamini pointed out that the ALM should be taking the lead on this project,” wrote Grewar, “and we agreed with him because that is what we pay rates for. We pointed out that for whatever reasons the Paddadam had been neglected for many years and had become a dumping ground for rubbish and even builders rubble.”
Dumping has become an unfortunate problem at the Paddadam, with people using the once beautiful recreational facility to dispose of their refuse.
“We have removed over 10 bakkie loads of bottles,” said Grewar, “many of them broken, from Paddadam to the dump site, but there are still thousands of bottles that need removing. We have removed truckloads of rubbish, rubble, broken concrete pipes, etc, to the dump site.”
“The 20% area of the dam nearest to the dam wall had become infested with the noxious Kariba weed (salvinia molesta) and the common reed (phragmites australis) has expanded from its small original position near the top end of the dam to take over the other 80% of the dam. This prevents the use of the dam for the purpose it was constructed, namely as a family picnic and leisure park where the children can paddle, swim, fish and boat. Humans are, it must be remembered, also an important part of the environment.” continued Grewar.
“In short Paddadam had degenerated into an environmental disaster and health hazard. The community effort in starting the Paddadam clean up campaign was to provoke and encourage the ALM to join us in returning the Paddadam to its original condition. Thanks to Ms Bongiwe Mnikathi and Flip Oosthuizen, the parks manager, a new gate was installed and a whole lot of dead and invasive trees were cut down. We plan to plant many new trees to replace them.”
“It now looks promising that with the support of Ms Mnikathi and the guidance of Mr Dlamini the ALM will really get involved and take the lead in this project. The Paddadam clean up campaign team will continue to give their support. It will be to the credit of all concerned including the ALM if we can achieve a successful outcome.”
A follow up meeting was set up for Wednesday, July 29, to discuss the municipality’s future involvement in the Paddadam clean-up project.
