Region 3 stakeholders invited to join in upliftment of community

Inner city stakeholders are invited to take part the revival of Burgers Park by being part of the Community Upliftment Precinct (CUP) development in the area.

This comes after partner organisations that have conducted two clean-ups at the Burgers Park greenhouse say that for any other work to occur aside from clean-ups, a CUP has to be formed.

On September 30, a clean-up was led by Ms Africa 2024, McCayla Warriker and stakeholders involved the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA), the Tshwane Metro, the Tshwane Leadership Foundation (TLF), as well as students from TUT and UP, among others.

A follow-up clean-up took place on November 8, though the partners are calling on interested residents and businesses to band together for a more managerial approach to maintaining the park.

“We want to put out a call to all the business owners in the community who would like to take ownership of the area, to get involved and start contributing to the revival of the inner city. This can be turned into a beautiful and functional space which can create more business opportunities. If the Burgers Park Project is implemented correctly, it can start up several income generation points. If the greenhouse is back up, they could open it and do tours, as well as the kiosk,” Warriker said.

The CUP initiative is set to assist residents, businesses and communities to enter into a formal agreement with the city to maintain and improve public infrastructure within their residential, business and industrial areas. After obtaining the necessary permission from the city, these services can include planting flowers, cutting grass, painting and repairing sidewalks and patching potholes.

The initiative is voluntary and is not a transfer of municipal functions to communities.

Warriker also said the project aims to develop skills among the homeless who frequent the park, thereby supporting the work of TLF.

“We’re happy that the clean-up happened and we’re happy that there is progress, but the problem now is that any progress has been hindered and we need the community to come take ownership of what is theirs,” Warriker said.

Catherine Keyworth, manager of Arcadia City Improvement District (CID) encouraged stakeholders to join the project, saying that no matter how small their efforts were, it goes a long way.

“Community involvement is a cornerstone of any meaningful social change. We all have a responsibility to ourselves and others to do what we can with what we have. Even the smallest acts add up,” Keyworth said.

Fellow partner and owner of the Manhattan Hotel, Grant Hewitt, says that it is up to the communities to work together to keep their spaces clean.

“If one looks around it is evident that the city council is unable and/or unwilling to execute its mandate of service delivery and public safety. It now falls on citizens to stand together to assist councils through recognised community mobilidation groups,” Hewitt said.

He explained that some of the benefits of the CUP include increased property value, local business growth and tourism potential.

Residents would also benefit from the physical activity, social and civic benefits, as well as networking opportunities.

“Clean and beautiful public spaces promote mental well-being and stress reduction. Restoring and maintaining public spaces preserves community history and heritage and clean-up initiatives teach environmental awareness, sustainability, and community responsibility,” Hewitt said.

Stakeholders interested in helping the revival can contact McCayla Warriker (062 292 3969) or Taryn Mntambo (067 778 0498).

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