Restoring the pride of Maraisburg one block at a time
“This has also become a thoroughfare for criminals to escape across the train tracks.”
Empty dreams perish in forgotten spaces but with the love of a community, any area can be reborn.
Communities United Foundation (CUF) is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) aimed at uniting communities through a shared vision of upliftment and support. Founded in August 2020 by Maraisburg resident Shawhaal de Villiers, CUF has focused primarily on filling the hungry stomachs that have been left empty by the fallout of the state-imposed lockdown and growing unemployment.
The abandoned tennis courts on 6th Street have evolved from a growing eyesore to the festering hub of the ills that plague the suburb. What could be an outlet for the growth and development for the community is overgrown with weeds and bushes, which in turn are strewn with litter and broken glass bottles. “This has also become a thoroughfare for criminals to escape across the train tracks,” said Shawhaal, speaking of the broken precast walls that should be the boundary of the courts.
A host of proactive community members picked up their spades and shovels, 20 February, to begin to transform the dilapidated courts into an area of community utilisation. “Poverty has side-effects and here we can promote a community that looks after each other,” said Shawhaal. “These courts have so much potential and it is wrong to leave it to rot,” she continued.
CUF will embark on continued clean-ups and feeding schemes throughout the year, but as with every NGO, funding is a constant struggle. Should members of the community share CUF’s vision, they are asked to contact Nabeelah Lodewyk on 061 752 6199 to find out how they can contribute.
