Florida South Residents Association (FSRA), in their first clean-up campaign of the year, descended on Ruth Street at the Unified Station on Saturday, January 24.

Upon arrival, FSRA members had to contend with sidewalks so overgrown that everyone was caught by surprise when it was discovered that there are actually kerbs hidden under the thick layers of grass and weeds.

FSRA chairperson Rodney Churchyard once again called in help from the local community as well as volunteers from the KCCC Foundation, who put in a solid morning’s work to transform the sidewalks and kerbs along Ruth Street.

For once, Churchyard’s call for better community involvement paid off, with a number of community members showing up to lend a hand.

“Unfortunately, not a single one of the residents who live opposite this section of Ruth Street even stuck their heads out of their houses,” he says.

“We had residents from across Florida showing up to help, but the people who stand to benefit most from this job, which is the residents, couldn’t be bothered. It is very disappointing.

“Luckily, one or two residents did drop off some drinks and snacks for the team, which made the world of difference.

“We managed to fill about three trailer loads of weeds and grass cuttings, and the transformation of Ruth Street is breathtaking.”

Resident Brian (Chuck) Norris, was fuming when he arrived at the work site.

“We were told that Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo had been there some days before, so we were almost hoping there wouldn’t be too much for us to do.

“But when I saw the quality of their work, I could not believe my eyes. They might as well just have left it. We had to start over anyway.”

By the end of the morning, the team had accomplished wonders.

Sidewalks were cleanly cut and kerbs were exposed.

“We even exposed a storm water drain that was so overgrown that we didn’t know it was there,” says Churchyard.