Dumping area to turn into a park

They are hopeful that the residents will stop dumping on the spot in the future.

June 30, 2021

Solly Maseko 2 minutes read

Neo Mokoena and his working partner, Edwin Maluka at the adopted spot in Luthuli Street in Lynnville. The illegal dumping spot will soon be turned into a park.

Neo Mokoena is a man on a mission; he has adopted a dumping area and is turning it into a park. Slowly but surely there is light at the end of the tunnel.

The council in a letter of approval signed by the municipality manager, Mr Sizwe Mayisela stated that the council fully supports the proposed project of the establishment of a park at Luthuli Street in Lynnville.

The illegal dumping spot has been a concern for Neo Mokoena and his working partner, Edwin Maluka for some time and they then set into action. First call was a visit to the municipality and they got their approval to adopt the spot to be turned into a park.

They received a letter approving their proposals. The letter states that the public open space remains the property of the Emalahleni Local Municipality and they reserve the right to withdraw the permission should it discover that unpermitted activities are taking place on the site.

Mokoena waited for the municipality to clear the spot as agreed. A few months later the area has been cleared and cleaned. The design plan is also ready.

“We are planning to have a dog training area, a container for fresh food, a playground area for children with swings, six a side soccer field, sand pit for children and an area to breed small and big dogs. We are planning to have young people from the area working in the spot,” Mokoena pointed out.

Mokoena added to say that they have also approached the Department of Correctional Services for a working partnership and have received positive response and is only waiting to sign an agreement.

They are hopeful that the residents will stop dumping on the spot in the future.

He said he plans to involve young people from the area going forward and hope to secure sponsors as well to make the park attractive and useful to the community.

“We are appealing to community members to support us as this is for a good cause and we welcome any kind of support in kind or otherwise,” added Mokoena.