Community support saves municipality millions

THE Vryheid community has ploughed roughly R400 000 worth of resources into the rehabilitation of the Paddadam, according to Doug Grewar.

Mr Grewar, the former chairman of the AbaQulusi Ratepayers’ Association, estimates that this project might have cost the municipality up to R5million, and maybe more, if the community had not generously supported the Padadam Clean-up Campaign with manpower, machinery, material and cash since the project’s inception in 2014.

He now intends to ask the AbaQulusi municipality, “To come to the party and fence the Paddadam Park,” which he anticipates will cost about R200 000.

Mr Grewar initiated the Paddadam Clean-up, determined to restore the Paddadam Park to a peaceful sanctuary where residents were excited about spending a lazy afternoon with their family, fishing, having a picnic, or just relaxing. Peter Kitching and Pieter Collety stepped up to help Mr Grewar achieve his goal.

“We have basically achieved what we started out to do, which was to clean out the rubbish, the broken bottles, the Kariba weed and the reeds from the bottom half of the dam. I roughly estimate that we have removed more than 6000 cubic meters of muck from the dam,” said Mr Gewar.

“At least 15 bakkie loads of bottles have been removed to the dump site. Any hooligans who dump rubbish or throw bottles into the dam from now on will be harshly dealt with! The upper half of the dam will remain as a reedy vlei land to filter the water and give the birds a place to nest. Marius Nigrini and the Bass Club will stock the dam with bass. Fishing will only be allowed on a catch and release basis.”

Mr Grewar boasts that the Paddadam project is gaining a momentum of its own, with André Rheeder, Marius Nigrini and the management of Battery Centre now busy constructing a jetty to the island.

“What should we name the island? Fish Island? Treasure Island?” asked Mr Grewar, who is open to suggestions.

He continued, “Myles of TK Gutters has promised to help with fixing the collapsed pipes in the dam wall. 15 bags of cement have been donated by Build-it, a truckload of sand by Jan Combrinck and a truckload of crusher stone by Jasper Fourie. Siyaxhasana is going to help with a concrete mixer and a vibrator. Thank you all!”

Next, the team hopes to be able to repair the toilet block with assistance from Build-it, Paul Scannel of Natal Plumbers and Builders, and Cilliers Construction who have all indicated that they are prepared to help.

“The response and support from the community has been nothing short of miraculous. Major contributors were Dirk Booysens, who gave us his 20 ton excavator, and Claude Newberry, who gave us his 25 ton dump truck for seven days free of charge. JJB Energy and Vrypet supplied the diesel. Siyaxhasana gave us a 10 ton tipper for two days and a TLB for one day. There are too many more sponsors to mention here but I will publish a full list of contributors on the Abaqulusi Residents Forum Facebook page,” concluded Mr Grewar.

Mr Grewar also intends to approach the AbaQulusi municipality for permission to establish access control at the Paddadam Park and charge an entry fee of R10 per car, with a season ticket being made available to regular visitors, as this money could be used to pay the gate-keepers and toilet cleaners.

More contributions are needed to complete the rehabilitation of the Paddadam Park. Donations can be made to Brigitte Alston at Premier Blue Star Financial Services, 150 Utrecht Street.

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