Garsfontein residents take charge in cleaning up the community

With rubbish bin collection disrupted due to a strike by Tshwane municipal workers, the Garsfontein Community Network (GCN) group took matters into their own hands by getting a local contractor to collect bins.

GCN co-founder and spokesperson Nicolette Prinsloo said the project began last Thursday after bins were not collected over the past week in the area due to the strike.

“On Thursday, we collected about a thousand bins and about 1 500 on Friday. Although this was initially an inconvenience it turned to be a good thing, providing jobs for some of our unemployed residents,” Prinsloo said.

“The project has ignited the spirit of unity in the community coming together for the development of the area and of taking matters in their own hands.

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“It’s amazing to see the community coming together and helping for the greater good of our community; the project has united us in helping each other, showing that we all need each other,” she said.

“The uncollected bins were just smelly and made the place dirty, which was a health hazard. We could not fold our arms as services came to a standstill. We had to do something.”

Prinsloo said the uncollected bins posed a security concern as “criminals used them to climb over fences into residents’ yards”.

Co-ordinator of the initiative, Felicity Gehrmann, said the project has since expanded to other areas such as Faerie Glen and Constantia Park.

“Residents from surrounding areas have also requested our help,” she said.

“This may be because we collect the bins for just R30. People are really happy with the service provided at such difficult times.

Gehrmann said they have collected over 4 000 bins so far.

“More than anything this project has created jobs at such difficult times and I am really happy to be part of something good.”

Paul Gurunga, who heads the project, said he used to do tree felling and gardening for Garsfontein residents, but during the lockdown, business was not so good.

“The project has brought about financial stability in my life and that of the guys I work with. For a while now, things were tough and we were not getting any jobs. This has provided some relief.”

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Gurunga said he dropped off the waste he collected from the residents at the metro’s dumping site.

Resident Mabel Schmahl, owner of Met Elke Sent non-profit organisation, said they collected her bins for free this week just because she runs an organisation that helps feed people.

“I am very happy with the project,” she said.

GCN volunteer Felicity Gehrmann and Paul Gurunga collecting bins Photo: Nicolette Prinsloo

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