City entities work together to clean CR Swart Drive Bridge green belt in Strijdom Park
Several city entities, including citizen relationship and urban management, collaborated for a much-needed clean-up of the green belt on CR Swart Drive Bridge.
After years of frustration, countless reports, and persistent engagement by residents and businesses, the long-awaited restoration of the green belt on CR Swart Drive Bridge has finally become a reality, thanks to the partnership of multiple city entities working together to restore the space.
The greenbelt area on the northern bank of the stream, along the CR Swart Drive Bridge, had been overtaken by illegal structures, waste-picking activities, and the illegal dumping of refuse.
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Business owners and residents in the area have been facing numerous challenges at the bridge, which include waste dumping and a high rate of crime.
Citizen relationship and urban management (Crum), Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo, Johannesburg Metro Police Department, and Randburg SAPS gathered on-site on the second day of their high impact service delivery (HISD) operation.
Waste was collected, trees were cut, and shacks were demolished. The people who occupied the space were removed and the area was fenced off by the Strijdom Park Ratepayers Association.
Karolynn van Vuren, of the association, explained that the clean-up brought a tremendous sense of relief and optimism. “For years, we watched a vital natural sanctuary degrade under heavy pollution, constant smoke, and untreated sewage runoff. Seeing the clean-up underway feels like a breath of fresh air.”
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She said watching the land being cleared gives them hope that nature can heal, the natural ecosystem can recover, and wildlife will return. “At the same time, it highlighted the reality that real recovery requires fixing issues upstream and downstream, not just on our immediate doorstep.”
Urban inspector for Ward 104 and clean-up co-ordinator Nokthula Ngobese applauded the work, as well as the teams that came out. She admitted that while there is still work to be done to ensure the green belt remains clean and well-maintained, the achievement represents an important step forward.
The successful operation demonstrated what can be achieved when different city entities work together.
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