‘Let’s bring back a clean Springs,’ says community leader Fanie Phala
After four days of cleaning and clearing dumping sites, community leader Fanie Phala hopes more residents will join efforts to restore Springs’ image.
Springs community leader Fanie Phala, together with a group of volunteers, rolled up their sleeves last week to clean the Palm Springs Shopping Centre’s parking area.
Speaking to the Springs Advertiser, Phala said the aim of the clean-up was to restore the area to a clean and welcoming state while encouraging residents to take pride in their surroundings.
The group spent four days collecting rubbish, trimming overgrown grass, and clearing illegal dumping sites.
According to Phala, they obtained permission from the shopping centre’s owner and also received assistance from the three on-site car guards.
“The reason I’m doing this is to restore Springs to the beautiful place it was in the early 1990s. I used to visit the town when my father worked here, and I remember how clean and vibrant it used to be,” said Phala.
Having lived in Springs for 26 years, Phala said it breaks his heart to see the town in its current state. He added that they plan to continue with regular clean-ups to make maintenance easier and prevent litter from piling up again.
Phala, who serves as the secretary of the Springs Hawker Association, stressed that keeping the town clean is not something he can do alone and called on the community to get involved.
“I’m not sure if I can win the fight for a cleaner Springs on my own because it’s difficult. I can’t stop people every time they litter or urinate in the street — all I can do is ask them why they’re doing it,” he said.
He also raised concerns about the overgrown grass in the parking area, warning that it poses a fire hazard. He fears that a discarded cigarette butt could one day ignite the grass and set parked vehicles alight.
Phala encouraged residents who would like to join future clean-up efforts across Springs to contact him on 071 970 1656. The Springs Hawker Association is located behind the Nedbank branch in the Springs CBD.
ALSO CHECK: Sergeant Zwane steps into new role as Springs SAPS spokesperson
ALSO CHECK: Dead livestock found in Nuffield after consuming alleged polluted water
