Businesses unite to reclaim Richards Bay’s notorious Dollar Drive
Richards Bay businesses and community groups unite to clean up Dollar Drive and tackle crime and litter
NOTORIOUS as one of the filthiest and most dangerous spaces in Richards Bay, the Dollar Drive area was transformed on Friday in a massive community-driven clean-up campaign.
Tired of putting up with rampant petty crime and blatant littering, local businesses joined forces with security organisations and civic-minded community representatives through a common goal: to take back the streets and create a safer town for everyone.
What started as an idea by Elite Tactical quickly turned into a united effort, with businesses stepping forward to say crime and insecurity cannot simply become the accepted reality of everyday life.
“Today is not just another day; it’s the start of the change we must bring to our town,” said Carel ‘CJ’ Schwan, who initiated the clean-up.
In no time, word was out and numbers swelled as companies provided vehicles, equipment and cleaning crews to tackle the mess.
“Their involvement demonstrates that community safety is not the responsibility of one company, one security organisation or one individual, it’s a shared responsibility,” said Schwan.
“By working together, businesses can communicate, support one another, identify concerns and create a stronger presence within the community.
“It is not about confrontation. It is about prevention, visibility, cooperation, responsibility and community pride. The first step may have started in Dollar Drive, but the vision is much bigger.
“The aim is to encourage more stakeholders involved and take ownership. When people feel unsafe in their own communities, everyone suffers,” he said.
“Today also showed that community initiatives do not always require large budgets. Sometimes, meaningful change starts when people simply decide to show up, work together and do something.
“With businesses donating resources and providing support to security and community organisations, today’s initiative demonstrated the power of collective action.
“Today was only the beginning, and we call on other businesses and community members to step forward and become part of the change.”
Schwan paid tribute to companies who contributed to the clean-up: Elite Tactical, CRCA, Zululand Safety Welding & Equipment, Sizonke Trading, Jetchem Industrial Cleaning, Easy Coat, One Stop Water, Value Auto Care, and Easy Solar.
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