Kariega’s central business district is filthy with blocked drains and pavements buried in debris. This decay sparked initiatives from local businesses to take on the costs of cleaning streets like Lances Lane as well as Graaff Reinet Road.
“I care about Kariega. It is unacceptable that the authorities in charge of our town do not deliver the basic services like keeping our town clean, which ratepayers pay for,” said Kariega businessman Ernest Dyer, owner of Noel’s Lawnmower Centre.
“Streets are filthy, and it affects business. It’s embarrassing when your customers must walk through filth to get to your store.”
Dyer also encouraged shop owners in the central business district not to litter and to ensure that their dirt is placed in bin bags and put out only on collection days.
“I arrived in Uitenhage (Kariega) during 1965 and have seen the town developing into one of the best in South Africa. A town once called the Garden Town and a town truly to be proud of. What went wrong? I so wish all would start to take pride in where they live, it would make my heart happy,” said Dyer.
The initiatives from local businesses were supported by Ward 51 councillor Roelf Basson, who said clean streets and open areas do portray positive impressions and an all-over good feeling to residents as well as visitors.
“We are thankful for what businesses like Noel’s and Uitenhage Animal Clinic, which was responsible for the cleaning of Graaff Reinet Road, are doing for Kariega,” said Basson.
“Whilst Uitenhage Animal Clinic invited businesses in Graaff Reinet Road to clean the verges in front of their premises, Noel’s removed three-and-a-half tons of rubble and litter from Lances Lane.
“Unfortunately, the open area in Lances Lane, which previously was also cleaned by our office prior to Ernest’s team moving in, was within a day after it was cleaned again a dump site of note. Nearby shop owners, residents and vagrants are the culprits,” said Basson.
While the clean-ups were once-off initiatives, Basson appeals to shop owners, businesses and residents to take pride in their areas and streets and to refrain from dumping rubble and littering and also to put out black bags only on collection days.
