Palm Springs Shopping Centre’s landlord, Ze Makom, along with partners including Grade 11 learners from Hoërskool Johan Jurgens, three Pioneer Park High School, Quality Service, Peak to Peak Property, and more, held a clean-up at the centre’s parking lot on September 23.

Speaking to the Springs Advertiser, Ze Makom’s founder Asher Sacks said that they wanted to take action and bring the community together around Palm Springs.

He said a shopping centre is not just about buildings and businesses; it is part of the community.

He believes it was a good opportunity to bring tenants, businesses, schools and residents together and make a real difference.

Sacks expressed that some maintenance challenges faced by the centres include litter and illegal dumping.

“The clean-up is about addressing some of those areas while also creating a stronger culture of taking pride in the centre,” said the founder.

He shared that customers have noticed areas that need attention and, instead of focusing only on complaints, they wanted to take a proactive approach and do something about it.

As part of the initiative, Sacks said that they brought local schools on board and would build on those relationships.

He added that there are also opportunities to involve community organisations, businesses and residents in future initiatives.

“This cannot just be something the landlord or cleaning company deals with. Everyone has a role to play. If shoppers, tenants, schools and residents take ownership of the space, it will become much easier to keep it clean,” said Sacks.

He said the clean-up should not be a one-off and that the goal is to build ongoing community involvement and keep improving the shopping centre.

He added that community involvement is one of the initiative’s most important parts.

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“We can clean an area today, but if the community does not feel connected to it, the problem comes back. We want people to feel that Palm Springs belongs to them too,” said Sacks.

According to the founder, six new dustbins were installed in the parking lot to make it easier for shoppers and visitors to dispose of their rubbish properly.

He advised shoppers to use the bins, not dump rubbish, and to speak up if they see an area that needs attention.

“I would just say come and be part of it. This is not only about cleaning Palm Springs — it is about showing what the community can achieve when we work together. We want this to be the start of something bigger,” he said.

Quality Service CEO Wesley Pamire told the publication that when they saw the initial clean-up campaign ad, they thought it would be great to be part of something that could benefit all of Springs.

Pamire believes that such initiatives across the town will support the local economy by encouraging businesses to open, which would create employment.

“When a place seems neglected, people subconsciously get the idea that the standards are low and therefore don’t want to be associated with it, meaning we are driving potential business away from Springs.

“So with the clean-up, it shows that the community cares about the town, which allows potential business owners to have trust and a relationship with the community members,” he said.

He advised the community to look after the area so it is easier to maintain, and to join local clean-ups to bring the town back to its former glory.