What was once a dump site has now been turned into a place of beauty, as hundreds of plants placed in colourful tyres are turning heads on Koala Street in Brooklyn.
This initiative, the brainchild of the Brooklyn, Ysterplaat and Rugby Residents’ Association (Byrra), is just the start as the community has vowed to stand together to take their area back and transform the areas’ public open spaces into places of hope.
The Brooklyn, Rugby and Ysterplaat areas have made headlines in the past due to its high crime rate, illegal braai spots and prostitution.
TygerBurger reported on several of the issues that have plagued these areas, with many well-known crime hotspots.
Illegal dumping
Rampant dumping took place on Koala Street, an eye-sore for the community of Brooklyn. This is when Byrra decided to take charge and transform the dump site.
Residents, together with the assistance of Byrra and the City of Cape Town, ensure that the garden remains beautiful and well taken care of, including guarding it against vandalism and dumping.
“We ask the community to take care of this spot as Byrra transforms it,” says Justin Kumlehn, Byrra chair.
Asked about the items for the beautifying and if they are receiving donations Kumlehn told TygerBurger Byrra spent about R3 000 so far.
“The council gave two trucks of tyres and one of soil arranged by Grant Twigg and Fabian Ah-Sing,” he says.
Kumlehn says vandalism plays a huge part in finishing the project, which is about 80% completed.
“We had to re-do a fair amount of the work, but we will continue.
We have also found boxes and alcohol bottles dumped between the tyres,” he says.
Ward councillor Fabian Ah-Sing has applauded Byrra’s initiative to uplift the community.
“A massive thank you to our local residents’ association, Brooklyn, Ysterplaat and Rugby Residents’ Association – Byrra – for doing this project. This is what it is all about, community members actively involved in creating the community they want to live in,” he says.
Kumlehn is urging the community to join them on Saturday 26 November at 08:00.
“We would love more community members to come out and assist or bring a bag of soil,” he says.
#SpringCleanCT
The City announced last week in a press statement that a budget of about R57,5 million has been set aside for its Festive Season Cleansing Programme.
The programme will target all beaches, scenic routes and central business districts.
Residents are being asked to get involved by organising a clean-up where it matters most to them, to get Cape Town looking sparkling clean and fresh this spring, including parks, public spaces, beaches, rivers, and roads.
“We can change the culture of litter and dumping in Cape Town, but it will take effort from all of us. Change is easy: first, none of us should ever litter! Then, each one of us can tell someone to stop littering or to pick up their litter when we see them doing it. And each of us can take a few seconds to pick up some litter ourselves. We are calling on residents, schools, businesses, and community groups to join the #SpringCleanCT campaign.
“Let’s take pride in our city and show what’s possible when we unite as Team Cape Town. This spring, the City is adding a crew of 300 to its area cleaning workforce to target major routes and littering hotspots,” says Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
“Law enforcement officials will also be stepping up enforcement against illegal dumping and issuing of fines for littering.”
A 24-hour toll-free hotline (0800 110077) has been created for residents to report tip-offs about illegal dumping activity and other by-law infringements.
