After purchasing Gqeberha’s Seaview Predator Park in October last year, Jendamark has set about transforming it into a haven of environmental conservation and upliftment that extends into the communities who live on its boundaries, the Seaview Private Sanctuary.
Currently the sanctuary is being developed as an outdoor retreat for the automotive tech company’s employees and customers.
To this end, all the big cats have been rehomed, a dam constructed, and various free-ranging wildlife species introduced.
Jendamark operations director, Siegfried Lokotsch, said while the park would not be open to the public, it was important that the wider Seaview community – including the informal settlements of New Rest and Zweledinga – benefit from the development.
“By investing in the park, we aim to improve the lives of both animals and people,” said Lokotsch. “Creating awareness about taking care of the environment is the first step.”
Five community members have been contracted to carry out alien invasive plant clearance and maintenance activities in the park, while two more have been employed to do daily roadside litter clean-ups and assist the public using the two municipal waste transfer sites in the area.
Waste management
Seaview ward councillor, Jason Grobbelaar, said that the relationship with Jendamark began in January when he received a call from Lokotsch about the state of the Zweledinga waste transfer site.
“There was illegal dumping, and the waste skip was overflowing. I explained the issues that led to the problem, that it had been reported, and would be attended to. I did not expect his next message: “Anything I can help with?”, which is where this journey started,” said Grobbelaar.
After securing the necessary permission from Nelson Mandela Bay municipal officials, Jendamark placed an additional skip at each of the waste stations, as well as informational signage indicating what may or may not be dumped there.
“Their assistance is filling the gap, as the municipality does not develop informal settlements where they will be moved to a new location in the near future, which is the case for Zweledinga,” explained Grobbelaar. “It also closes the gap where the municipality battles to service the area over weekends and public holidays, or when truck breakdowns occur.”
A sporting chance
Residents of the two informal settlements, who number around 800 in each, are also benefiting in other ways.
After sanctuary custodian, Jo-Ann Meiring, noticed a young girl pouring paint in the dirt to outline a makeshift netball court, the Jendamark team returned to lay a cement court, complete with hoops and inspirational signage. Two mobile action soccer nets were also sponsored, turning it into a flexible sporting arena that is used daily.
“We are truly grateful for the magnificent work that Jendamark has done for us,” said Zweledinga netball manager, Jane Manisa.
Care centres
In preparation for winter, the company responded to a request for mattresses, blankets and a heater for the Sibabalwe Daycare Centre in Zweledinga, with plans underway to support a similar project at New Rest.
New Rest community leader, Zoliswa Mkrayi, said that residents were very appreciative of the interventions and positive impact so far.
“They built the sports field for our community, which is very beautiful, and employment opportunities decrease the number of unemployed in the area [which averages around 35percent]. We are looking forward to working hand-in-hand with Jendamark in the future.”
Lokotsch said that giving people a hand up, not a handout, was central to Jendamark’s sustainable support strategy.
“If we can create a community where we can uplift each other, and where each person thinks about their neighbour, we can build a better place for everyone.”
