Things are not going well in South Africa. Many are to blame, but pointing fingers and getting angry are a waste of time and are counterproductive. Thus, communities across the country have been starting to take ownership of their streets, areas, and neighbourhoods.
“My community is my responsibility” is becoming a trend. More and more citizens are changing their mindsets from “they” to “we” and are engaging to reinvent themselves.
And where they took ownership of issues, progress happened, and progress is escalating.
Businessowners and residents of Despatch and Kariega have also started with this approach. Earlier this year Uitenhage Dierekliniek/Animal Clinic engaged with fellow business and property owners in Graaff Reinet Road, encouraging them to adopt their sidewalks and verges.
In a circular letter, Dr Riaan Mulder said, “We can together create a tidy environment that will not only benefit our individual businesses but create more pride in the whole of the town.”
Now, Haggie and Lynette Wagener from Haggie’s Swimpool Services & Supplies at 46 Mosel Road, are also motivating home and business owners in Mosel to take ownership of their area.
“A clean area matters. When we keep our area clean, not only does business improve, but we indirectly improve lives. Therefore, it should be everyone’s attitude of ‘If it is to be, it is up to me’,” said Lynette Wagener.
“We saw our area deteriorating with litter to a point where we could not handle it anymore. Then we took it upon ourselves to adopt the area and keep it clean.
“Homeowners are urged not to dump their refuse bags at the bins outside the Mosel shops. Should homeowners be found dumping refuse bags, they can be reported to the town ranger and fined up to R2 000.”
According to her, they have also requested more bins from the municipality, as there are seven shops and only three bins.
Being a former educator, Lynette is passionate about awareness amongst the youth. “Perhaps it is time to bring the ‘Zap it in the Zibi (bin)’ campaign back again.
“We need to engage the children. Living in a clean area is a mindset and children should be made aware of it as early as possible. It is their future and change cannot happen without them,” said Lynette.
Ward 51 councillor Roelf Basson applauded the initiatives and said participative governance is the way forward, “It is no longer business as normal; we need residents to participate in improving circumstances and not only to report faults.”
