Volunteers and officials from all corners of Wentworth joined in at the ‘Adopt-A-Spot’ launch
An inspiring programme to beautify Wentworth and keep the area clean has been launched with the help of the South Durban Basin Area Based Management (SDB ABM), eThekwini Parks, Durban Solid Waste and a host of other stakeholders.
The Adopt-A-Spot campaign was launched at the end of April. The corner of Rooks Road and Goede Hoop Street was the first official spot to be adopted under the campaign and saw luscious green plants added, to create a garden, at the previous illegal dumping site. The inspiration behind the initiative came from one frustrated resident who was tired of seeing black rubbish bags, litter and miscellaneous-eyesores lumped on every street corner or on open verges she passed. Eunice McAllister, the founder of Keep Wentworth Beautiful (KWB), said they will be working closely with both the private and public sectors to forward the initiative, they hope will install community pride and ownership as well as the project’s longevity.
“We all want to feel that someone is watching out for a suburban place that we frequent. Accomplishment is often associated with success, but it is not the same. Accomplishment refers to the results we desire when we attempt to reach specific goals. Success is the positive consequence or outcome of an achieved accomplishment.” McAllister was joined by scores of locals on the launch day where a tangible sense of community spirit could be felt. Holes were dug, grass trimmed and freshly vegetating plants watered before the excited audience, distinguished guests and youth. Eeurakha Singh, senior manager at SDB ABM, said she was happy about the progress made so far. “The community is taking ownership of their spaces and cleaning up illegal dumping hotspots, like these, which already looks more beautiful than ever before. KWB will be maintaining the space and hope to do the same for other illegal dump sites.” The KWB team called on the community to stand together and not take the approach many disingenuous or drug-fuelled residents have when carelessly throwing away litter as they walk or from their homes. The initiative has been approved and celebrated by several Wentworth non-profit and governmental organisations who will be joining at the next ‘beautification’ spot. If you would like to volunteer your time, services, experience, monies or resources towards the project contact 076-303-2965.
