Nautical-themed upgrade brings colour and pride to Margate’s entrance
Tidy Towns Shelly Beach to Margate with support from Ray Nkonyeni Municipality has been hard at work at the intersection for the past month.
Tidy Towns Shelly Beach to Margate ends the year on a high with a major intersection makeover.
The team of volunteers is full of surprises – and the final project of the year has transformed one of the South Coast’s busiest intersections.
With support from Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM), the Tidy Towns team has been hard at work for the past month rejuvenating the Margate intersection, and the results are remarkable.
What was once an eyesore – caused by the flash floods in April 2024, which inflicted significant damage on the intersection – has now been revamped.
Motorists are greeted by freshly painted and repaired kerb stones, a neat and pretty new garden, trimmed greenery, a new welcome sign (soon to arrive), and instant grass for the centre islands – giving true meaning to the word: rejuvenation. The nautical theme and colours add a refreshing new element to the area.
Stephen Herbst of Tidy Towns thanked the RNM team for their hands-on assistance, especially Mthandeni Ndwalane, head of the Department of Community Services.
“We are grateful for the many contributors and community members who came together to make this project possible. From flowers, pots and paint to labour, funds and countless other contributions – every effort has made a difference,” said Herbst.
He also extended a special thanks to Scott Kvalsvig of Tidy Towns for his generosity, dedication and unwavering support.
“His soil contributions, and especially his bright, colourful entrance creations have truly elevated this project,” he added.
Herbst said the group has far exceeded its budget for the intersection upgrade, and funds raised at this month’s Mardi Gras events will help cover outstanding costs.
Don’t miss the Margate Mardi Gras at Margate beachfront at 09:00 – with additional events on December 17 and 24. For more information, contact 072 2839960.
The Tidy Towns team has had an exceptionally busy year, ticking off a long list of successful projects in and around Shelly Beach, Uvongo, St Mike’s, Lucien, Manaba and Margate.
So, what plans are up the sleeves of the Tidy Towns team?
Herbst replied with a grin: “To get through the season, and then it’s all eyes on bringing the Blue Flag home to Shelly Beach, Lucien and Uvongo beaches.”
Business owners, Mark Venter and his wife, Tayla from Sea Park kindly donated towards the project.
The couple, own businesses in Hibberdene and Marburg, yet they felt they needed to support the project as Margate is one of the special coastal spots close to their hearts.
“It’s a local place, let’s build it, not break it down,” said Tayla.
Mark said the community wants to get the bigger events to come back to Margate, and the only way is to uplift the area.
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