Jeffreys Bay – Jeffreys Bay Dorp van Drome, a local organisation dedicated to cleaning and beautifying the town, has embarked on an ambitious dual project to transform the Ocean View township through strategic planting initiatives and innovative road repairs.
The organisation has identified significant opportunities to address both environmental beautification and infrastructure challenges in the township through creative partnerships and community engagement.
Long-standing member, Loulita Vosloo, said that she believes that there are many people in the township who want to create their own beautiful gardens, but they cannot afford to purchase their own plants.
She said that the organisation has found itself in the fortunate position of having surplus plants due to generous donations.
“There is a big need for plants in the township and since we receive many donations, we have an overflow of plants that we often donate. We have given many plants to people living in the township,” said Vosloo.
The planting initiative extends beyond simple distribution.
Vosloo said that the Dorp van Drome also provides excess soil to assist community members with establishing gardens and encourages vegetable planting where possible throughout the township.
“Hopefully, as we continue to beautify the township, more people will feel inspired to beautify their neighbourhood,” said Vosloo.
In a collaboration with Kouga Municipality, Dorp van Drome has received “blessings” from the municipality to tackle the township’s persistent road problems using repurposed materials.
“We have requested that the municipality repurpose old gravel from roads recently repaired to then place it on the sand roads in Ocean View,” said Vosloo.
She said that the township faces major challenges with muddy roads and water accumulation. “We want them to redistribute old road rubble to improve the roads as a temporary measure,” said Vosloo. “Instead of dropping off the gravel at landfill sites, I believe that it can be repurposed. This will improve the roads.”
Committed to supporting the initiative, Vosloo said that the municipality has supported the initiative beyond just providing materials.
“Kouga Municipality has also been gracious enough to assist in flattening the road once the gravel has been placed on the roads,” said Vosloo.
Furthermore, she said that the organisation has maintained regular communication with municipal officials to ensure transparency with residents. Vosloo mentioned their ongoing correspondence with municipal representative Maxwell Jali, who has been working with township residents to keep them informed about project timelines and activities.
As part of Dorp van Drome’s Nelson Mandela Day activities in conjunction with the Kouga Municipality, the organisation beautified public areas near Madiba Bay Crèche and JBay Recycling Project in Pellsrus, a project initiated by Yonela Mlindazwe and Aiden Madatt from the municipality.
“I want people to recognise Dorp van Drome as an organisation that can help beautify their area. We want them to see that we are trying to help,” said Vosloo. Looking ahead, she said that the organisation has ambitious plans for further township improvement.
“At a later stage, we want to help beautify their sidewalks, which are currently filled with dust,” said Vosloo.
“Sidewalk by sidewalk, house by house, road by road, we want to assist.”
While vegetable gardens on sidewalks have proven challenging due to livestock interference, Vosloo said that the organisation remains committed to promoting gardening where feasible.
She said that community members can easily access the organisation’s resources by contacting her for plants, which they will gladly donate.
Additionally, Vosloo said that residents can collect soil at the designated drop-off zone in Ocean View.
For more information or to request plant donations, contact Loulita Vosloo at 072 828 6230.
