Sancho Maranti, a young man from Walmer Township, has been given a chance to secure employment and contribute significantly to his community.
This opportunity comes as part of a joint project aimed at tidying and beautifying the five-kilometre stretch of Kragga Kamma Road, from the Cape Road off-ramp to Welcome Avenue. This initiative is a collaborative effort involving local businesses, residents, the Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) Business Chamber, local ward councillors, churches, schools, South African Police’s mounted division and the municipality.
The project, which kicked off earlier this month, is not just about cleaning up the road, it also aims to demonstrate the power of community collaboration in achieving common goals.
As previously covered by PE Express, Dr Johann Malherbe, a staunch advocate for cleanliness and order, believes that well-kept spaces have long-term positive effects on people’s well-being and the economy. This belief drove him and a group of like-minded individuals and companies in Gqeberha to take action.
Maranti, who has been unemployed for two years, will be employed to maintain the road’s verges, pavements, and litter. This role not only provides him with an income, but also a sense of purpose. Malherbe’s meticulous approach led him to personally meet Maranti at a church in Walmer Township, where he was impressed by his energy and dedication.
“I knew then that he was the right person for the job,” said Malherbe.
Maranti is easily identifiable in a white uniform, similar to the gloves he wore when he first met Malherbe, with his name boldly written across his back. This visibility is intended for safety and to encourage community members to share words of encouragement and positivity.
The project’s ambitious goals include trimming trees, removing fallen branches, cutting grass, painting road markings, fixing potholes and streetlights, and landscaping with trees and flowers. The initiative relies on sponsorships from companies and individuals, with premier sponsors contributing R1 500 per month. Sponsors’ logos are prominently displayed on Maranti’s uniform, designed and manufactured by DK2 Sports.
Denise van Huyssteen, CEO of the NMB Business Chamber, praised the #TidyKraggaKammaRoad initiative, highlighting its alignment with the chamber’s action-oriented approach to revitalising the Bay.
“This will ensure that vital investment and employment are retained and will help build confidence to enable new investments to be undertaken,” she said.
The initiative welcomes additional sponsors to join this community-driven effort. By supporting Maranti in his new role and contributing to the beautification of Kragga Kamma Road, sponsors and individuals are investing in the well-being of the community and the life of a young resident.
