Frustrated about the lack of service delivery in their area, residents in Kragga Kamma Park, Gqeberha, lead the way in taking neighbourhood pride to new levels to ensure that the area is cleaned and maintained regularly, by contributing just R50 per household each month.
David Hamer, a resident, said six years ago his neighbours, Dr Johann Malherbe, Sheryll Dix and Sandy Stock, created a neighbourhood WhatsApp security group for residents to report security issues and suspicious activity.
Hamer said there are currently 137 residents in the group, which has expanded to cover issues like water, loadshedding, service delivery, street lights, refuse collection, and much more.
To ensure that the little block of land bordered by Kragga Kamma, Luneville, Dijon, and Vitry Roads was taken care of, Malherbe polled the residents for interest in employing someone to start beautifying the neighbourhood, costing just R50 per household each month, according to Hamer.
“There was enough interest with households agreeing to each contribute R50 per month into a dedicated bank account, and that money is used for various purposes,” said Hamer.
“Residents were very fortunate to have Dr Malherbe who was willing to make it happen, and do all the organisation, and he has continued to manage this initiative with energy and persistence.”
Hamer said that each Saturday a worker, referred to as Mike, begins with cleaning the common areas around the neighbourhood by sweeping streets, collecting litter, tidying the local park, emptying communal bins, clearing verges, spraying weeds, and a whole lot more.
He further said that signs were purchased to welcome people to Kragga Kamma Park and placed at all three entrances, additional trees were planted around the park, and security cameras were installed at four different entrances to the area, with the generous support of ADT.
In addition, Hamer said that one of the households sponsors waste disposal bags and money is also used to buy weed killer, and pay for waste removal.
“Today, over 30 households are making a monthly contribution, and the results have been staggering.
“An unintended consequence is that with the neighbourhood now looking so clean and tidy, residents have become more attentive to their verges and the public land adjacent to their property, and the municipal grass cutters also seem to do a more complete job and clean up better too,” said Hamer.
With the project growing greatly over the last six years, Hamer and Stock have assisted and have helped co-ordinate the initiative, by conducting regular neighbourhood inspections to report broken street lights, faded street names, and other municipal service issues, which are done in conjunction with Ward 8 councillor, Gustav Rautenbach.
Hamer said that Rautenbach has been very supportive of the initiative, and is always willing to help in escalating long-standing problems.
“This initiative has helped foster a real sense of community among residents who are keen to make the place where they live better. It has brought neighbours together, and helped unite the neighbourhood. It has encouraged everyone to play their part,” said Hamer.
“Yes, in a perfect world, the municipality would be doing all this, but let’s be honest that is not going to happen anytime soon, and for a minimal monthly debit order we get what we want, and are happier as a result.”
Rautenbach said he is very excited about the initiative, and would like to thank the residents for taking care of their neighbourhood.
He said it is the municipality’s responsibility to ensure that each area throughout the Nelson Mandela Metro is maintained; however, service delivery does not take place.
“If more residents can get involved in similar projects, it would help greatly to beautify their community,” said Rautenbach.
“I support this initiative 110 percent.”
Additional plans for Kragga Kamma Park include:
- Landscaping around the trees
- New signage to encourage drivers to drive cautiously
- Installation of additional security cameras
- Clearing overgrown verges in front of the substations
Malherbe said the initiative he started has grown beyond what he could have ever imagined, and the results are incredible.
“The neighbourhood looks so much better. We are making a difference, and it makes me immensely happy to look around and see how positively the initiative has uplifted Kragga Kamma Park,” said Malherbe. “I urge other neighbourhoods to consider doing the same. Imagine what Gqeberha could look like.”
