Businesses give Secunda’s CBD a facelift
Security has also been jacked up, ensuring safety for not only the public, but also shop tenants and residents residing in apartments at the Secunda Square.
SECUNDA – The CBD underwent some huge upgrades involving major clean-up projects, stricter security measures and a friendlier, more pleasant shopping experience for all.
Over the past several years, the CBD saw the closure of major retail and fashion outlets. Fewer feet have been going through the CBD due to competitors and major development around Secunda over the years.
However, an initiative driven by Mr Imraan Salajee to get local businesses in the CBD involved in the cleanup and improvement of the Security was the beginning of the rejuvenation of the CBD.
Imojoe International a company owned by Mr Imraan Salajee joined forces with Fortress Reit Limited and Moove Motion Fitness to get the plan in motion.
A lot of manpower and resources by these businesses have gone into the clean-up, revamping, upgrades and security measures in the CBD.
Clear-view fencing, gates and palisades have been erected around the whole CBD. This is to eliminate unwanted criminal activity and homeless people from sleeping in the CBD.
Security has also been jacked up, ensuring safety for not only the public, but also shop tenants and residents residing in apartments at the Secunda Square.This has in return created job opportunities and also gives the public, tenants and residents peace of mind. Surveillance cameras cover most of the CBD.
The grounds have been upgraded and continuous efforts and maintenance are being done to keep the whole area clean. The attraction back in the days was the water fountains located in the middle of the CBD. It has since been made into a cleaner and safer play area for the little ones.
Mr Imraan Salajee told Ridge Times that a meeting was held with GMM’s departments for Local Economic Development, Law Enforcement and Town Planning to solve a few challenges which are still being faced. These include refuse removal and litter around the taxi rank, illegal trading of hawkers and illegal car washers and guards.
Clean-up efforts have been done on numerous occasions at the taxi rank, but all the hard work, effort and costs had been in vain.
“There is a need for hawkers, they also have families to take care of, and it is also creating employment. However, they need to do it within the framework of the law,” said Mr Salajee.
“The first time we cleaned up, it was a total mess. Together with DupDup, Ms Mariaan Chamberlain and the municipality, we cleaned it up. The next day it was a mess again.
“We are trying to come up with a solution.” Mr Salajee explained that hawkers will be provided a refuse cage where they will be able to discard their rubbish.
“People are coming back to the old CBD.
“What we need for the CBD to sustain itself is the support of everybody. If you support it, the right tenants will come. Be the change that you want to see,” ended Mr Salajee.
