City Parks kicks-off mega-blitz clean-up programme in Region C

Spurred on by new appointees in mayoral committees, Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) and relevant stakeholders began their ‘mega-blitz’ clean-up operations on February 10.

JCPZ will be moving from region to region, tackling the biggest parks throughout the city, and the first stop on their clean-up tour was Region C’s Len Rutter Park. Approximately 200 JCPZ staff members including contractors will form part of the operations, tackling the maintenance shortfalls at Len Rutter Park. JCPZ’s ‘mega-blitz’ clean-up campaigns are a call for accelerated, visible and improved service delivery in the city.

Teams will be cutting long grass, pruning dense and low-hanging branches where street-side trees pose possible danger to motorists, as well as litter-picking and the removal of alien invasive plants. JCPZ’s service delivery and mega-blitz clean-up campaign forms part of the City of Johannesburg’s ‘Golden Start’ – a seven-point priority plan which aims to enhance basic services.

Ward 70 councillor, Caleb Finn, gave the opening address and thanked JCPZ for choosing Region C and Ward 70 for kicking off their clean-up campaign. “It is important for our community to take back the parks and open spaces while claiming ownership of our facilities,” Caleb said. “We are tackling the horticultural and maintenance shortfalls in green spaces. Residents will see a transformation of these facilities,” added Bryne Maduka, JCPZ Managing Director.

The newly appointed Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Development, Councillor Ronald Harris will be at the forefront of these operations. Harris stated, “We are in the peak season with my office inundated with requests to tackle overgrowth in parks and in identified spaces, and I aim to ensure that there is an integrated plan in place supported by a motivated and equipped workforce, that is ready to showcase a Joburg that works and is in a pristine condition”.

A series of trees were planted to mark the occasion, with five new Wit Stinkhout trees lining the Golf Club Terrace-facing field. The Celtis africana is an indigenous tree that will offer shade in the summer and small fruits and flowers for the bird life. The 37 hectare park costs roughly R130 000 per month to service, and JCPZ Region C Manger, Puleng Ditabe reaffirmed their commitment saying, ”We are putting a spotlight on service delivery”.