Pavement floating trophy huge surprise for Capital Park family

Happy Nelane-Pale and his wife, Mapule, were named best-kept sidewalk champions in the local sidewalk competition for the month of February.

They have been staying on the corner of Trouw Street and 6th Avenue for the past four years.

Since the competition started four years ago, the interest in it has grown, and organisers will now award a second trophy for the neatest sidewalk in a month.

The Nelane-Pale family have four children, their youngest being seven-months old.

Mapule said her husband was the one who spends hours in the garden to make sure the pavement is well maintained.

“He is always out and about with the garden scissors cutting the grass.

“He even took it upon himself to cut the sidewalk across the road from the house,” she said.

Mapule added the trophy was an unexpected treat.

“It came as a huge surprise.

“I am absolutely in love with the community of Capital Park. The neighbours have each other’s back and that is the main reason I like being part of Capital Park,” Mapula said.

“A neat sidewalk should be an example to others because it is the first thing of a home that you see when you drive past.”

The neatest sidewalk of the month competition was started by Capital Park Residents and Ratepayers Association (Cappra).

Real One Real Estate Agency joined in as co-organiser of the competition.

Donne-li Johnson of the agency regularly drives in the area to scout the next month’s winner.

“I got an unexpected call from Donne-li last week,” Mapule said.

“She told me more about what the competition entails and I was delighted when she informed me that out sidewalk caught her eye.”

Mapule said that since she was a little girl, she grew up in a neat environment.

“That is one of the most important life lessons my mother taught me – do not count on someone else to clean up after you.

“Be the one that takes the first step to ensure that everything is in place.”

Johnson said she does not only drive past a house once. It needs to be maintained on a regular basis.

“I sold the house to the Nelane-Pale family back in the day.

“Bonolo was so excited when I told her the floating trophy will stand in front of her yard for the month of February,” she said.

Michael Burt of Cappra said that since they launched the competition, there has been a significant difference as far as neatness is concerned.

“There has been a collation between neighbours,” Burt said.

“We want to award a second floating trophy to create more awareness.

“It becomes a constant event and we are excited to see what the future will entail for Capital Park.

“We are making strides in the area,” he said.

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