A new, safe riverside walkway – benefiting learners on their bicycles, seniors taking their daily walks and runners heading into town – was opened in honour of the late Dr Richard de Villiers on Wednesday 19 August.

The idea of an upgraded walkway along the Eerste River was mooted four years ago, when Dup Venter and De Villiers, founder of the Stellenbosch Trail Fund (STF), were walking along the river.

“At a certain point along the walk, I told Richard my fear of heights was kicking in, and I raised my concern that someone might tumble into the river,” Venter recalled.

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Flooding delays

That conversation sparked the plan to build a safer, upgraded walkway in Suidwal Street, to the benefit of those who regularly travel along the river.

Construction was set to begin, but flooding during two subsequent winter season forced the plans to be postponed.

Sadly, during the pause in the project, De Villiers suddenly passed away.

After the Stellenbosch Municipality carried out the necessary repairs along the river, the walkway project was reignited and the search for funding began.

Contributions came from various businesses, including Investec bank, Pay@ and BSI Consult, the three schools in the neighbourhood, as well as local private donors.

Combined initiatives

According to Ernst Gouws, director of the STF, the project was made possible only through active citizens, who shared the vision and determination to see it through.

Venter added that although the river is now a pleasant area, this was not always the case, owing to rubbish and safety concerns along its banks.

However, thanks to initiatives like the Stellenbosch Art Mile and the work of the STF team, the area has been given a facelift.

According to Gouws, the team collects around 30 bags of rubbish from the river area every week.

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