What began as a 67-minute tribute to Nelson Mandela blossomed into a day-long community initiative on Friday, 18 July, as Ward 35 residents combined efforts to clean up Whynotte Park, Rinaldo Park, and surrounding areas.
Various community organisations, including Collective Durban North (CDN), Glen Hills, Glen Anil, and Durban North Ratepayers Associations, teamed up with key partners such as Leos of North Durban, North Durban Lions Club, The Round Table, and Ward 36 councillor Heinz de Boer.
The initiative saw Durban North residents and volunteers diligently collecting illegally dumped waste, litter, garden refuse, and even scrap material from around the parks. They filled countless trash bags, which were then taken to designated drop-off zones within both parks. As an incentive, each person who filled a trash bag received a hotdog.
Sam Reddy, organiser of the initiative and Presiding Officer of The Afrism Foundation, reflected on the day, stating: “We were motivated by a shared love for our community and a desire to reclaim, restore, and beautify the space we all use. It was not just about cleaning—it was about building unity and pride in our home.” He added that the day served as a reminder that even 67 minutes of service can create a lasting ripple of change.
Reddy extended his gratitude to Bluff Meats for being a major sponsor, supplying all the food and ensuring the event’s success. He also thanked Blue Security for providing peace of mind and maintaining a safe atmosphere at both sites.
Every participating organisation played a crucial role. The Leos handled registration, The Round Table managed the braais and sponsored materials, while Oasis Water and OK Foods Rinaldo Road kept everyone hydrated and fuelled throughout the day.
“Northwood School boys even tackled hard-to-reach clean-up zones—some scaling buildings to remove dumped waste,” Reddy explained. “We also had the US Consulate Team giving their 67 minutes, a team representing Korea and dozens of local businesses made their mark to uplift our community.”
Councillor de Boer fulfilled his role by securing municipal approvals and coordinating with Durban Solid Waste (DSW) for the collection of the accumulated waste from the two parks.
Cameron Belling, Head of Marketing at Bluff Meats, believes that positive change truly begins at a local level. He stated, “Nelson Mandela Day is a powerful reminder that each of us has the ability to uplift our communities. We were inspired to get involved because serving people, whether through quality food or acts of kindness, is at the heart of what we do.”
He further advised small businesses to “start small than not starting at all,” emphasising that a significant impact does not require a large budget, but rather a willingness to participate and contribute to something larger than one’s own business.
Both Reddy and Belling affirmed their ongoing commitment to community service, vowing to continue positively impacting the community in future initiatives.
