Heritage event litter at Amanzimtoti Civic Centre irks residents
Local Facebook pages were inundated with photographs and opinions about the littered grounds adjacent to Hutchison Park, which is known for its natural beauty and tidiness.
THE littered state in which the Amanzimtoti Civic Centre grounds were left both during and after the Department of Education’s provincial cultural event from Tuesday, 25 September to Thursday, 27 September caused widespread upset within the Amanzimtoti community.
Local Facebook pages were inundated with photographs and opinions about the littered grounds adjacent to Hutchison Park, which is known for its natural beauty and tidiness.
Cllr Andre Beetge explained the Department of Education utilised the facilities for three days to host a provincial cultural programme.
Some 30 school buses and mini-bus taxis ferried school children to the event, as they took part in traditional Zulu dancing and other cultural activities. Vendors selling their wares, as well as those who attended and took part, left the civic centre parking lot and grounds in an unsightly state.
Social media users reiterated that it is not the pupils to blame but rather the adults who are obviously involved in education, who need to instill a sense of respect, cleanliness and responsibility in the youth.
“Litter collection was one of the matters that was relatively under control, albeit that we facilitated vendors with additional bags to clear the grounds at the end of each day,” said Cllr Beetge.
“Observers appeared unaware that the vendors were either parents or family members of the participants who, as part of their daily duties, cleaned the area while the children departed to prepare for the next day’s events.”
Cllr Beetge said there is no denying the obvious room for improvement and litter education.
He said observations about health and safety consequences had been communicated to various departments, including representatives from the education department on-site. A comprehensive report will be channeled to the relevant entities, according to a post by Beetge.
“We wish participants a safe journey and trust the observations and recommendations will receive their favourable consideration in preparation for the next event.”
Social media users questioned if there are conditions for those who use the civic centre for events.
“It’s fantastic that this municipal space gets so well utilised but there seems to be no control of the state that it’s left in,” stated Edward Rice on the eThekwini Ward 97 Forum Facebook page.
“Much of this litter will be in the river and blown elsewhere by the time the municipality cleans it up. There should be a deposit that is only refundable if and when the grounds are cleaned after an event.”
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