Adopt a pothole in Secunda
Residents, businesses, political parties, organisations and many others have jumped on board in taking their town back and have adopted their own projects such as verge cutting, painting of road and pavement markings, cleaning up of parks and now adopting a pothole.
SECUNDA – Overgrown verges and sidewalks, huge potholes, no road or pavement markings, overgrown trees.
These are only some of the many tell-tale signs of how the local community has been failed by Govan Mbeki Municipality.
Residents, businesses, political parties, organisations and many others have jumped on board in taking their town back and have adopted their own projects such as verge cutting, painting of road and pavement markings, cleaning up of parks and now adopting a pothole.
“Let’s be the change that we want to see,” said Mr Imraan Salajee.
Mr Salajee, who is a well-known public figure in his community, said he wanted to see residents and businesses come on board in adopting a pothole.
“We need to work together and take part in our local economy,” said Mr Salajee.
“There is a responsibility from the council to do what they are supposed to do because we are paying for our rates and taxes.
“Yes, we are picking up the slack as businesses and residents but GMM needs to come to the party,” said Mr Salajee.
He agrees if one pays rates and taxes, the maintaining and providing of services remains the responsibility of GMM to deliver.
“We can pick up the slack and fix potholes because we know GMM won’t do it, but the negative is now we are creating a system where there are no consequences for them if they do not perform.”
However, he went on saying the residents will have to do their part for now.
“We need to be positive and be the change we want to see,” said Mr Salajee
Mr Salajee has made an order of 200 bags of tar that is set to be delivered this week.
“We will be targeting the main roads and welcome other businesses and residents coming on board to adopt a pothole by either getting it repaired themselves or by committing resources to the project,” ended Mr Salajee.
While businesses and organisations such as AfriForum have joined hands, they are also urging residents to jump on board and assist in the fixing of the town and potholes.
AfriForum has ordered 250 bags of tar which is a drop in the ocean of what is needed and is pleading with the community to get involved through funding this project.
“The holes are massive, there has been no maintenance done on our roads by GMM,” said Mr Jan du Plessis, local AfriForum chairman.
“The rain has been contributing to the already deteriorating state of our roads.”
He explained that the base under the tar softens when exposed to water which then results in the collapsing of the tar, forming a pothole.
As traffic travels over the pothole the edges crumble away and the pothole expands.
“GMM has not come back to us with regards to what they are going to do about fixing potholes.
“We rely on all forms of external resources to keep our basic services going.”
“I want to thank all the residents, businesses and organisations that already took up the challenge. Without you, we as community will not make progress taking our town back to the pride I got to know 33 years ago,” ended Mr Du Plessis.
If you want to get involved in adopting a pothole, contact Mr Salajee at 083 232 9555 or Mr Du Plessis at 079 488 7608.
