Durban -
A group of Inanda volunteers were honoured at an eThekwini function this week for transforming an abandoned park into what has become a popular beauty spot and well-used local facility.
The “Pro Gardners”, as they call themselves, dedicate their spare time to making sure Ndodeni Park is beautiful.
The six members of the group have dug up weeds and put in plants and, since they began work in 2006, completely transformed the park.
It’s now something of a local highlight: well kept and with plenty of natural vegetation.
There is plenty of space and the park is often used for events and activities, such as team-building programmes.
The Pro Gardners – Nkosi Mazibuko, Mduduzi Sithole, Samkelo Nsele, Nqobile Myende, Petros Makhanya and Simamiso Mkhize – are all from Inanda and get together to work in the park at least three times a week.
Project co-ordinator, Simamiso Mkhize, said the men had become involved in the initiative to keep themselves busy, “since there is high rate of unemployment in the community”.
“And also to showcase to the community that they are capable of making a safe and clean environment,” Mkhize said on Wednesday.
Pro Gardners were among eight groups and individuals who received certificates from the city at the Botanic Gardens this week.
Municipal spokesman, Thabo Mofokeng, said the verge competition supported the Clean and Maintain My City Campaign, which was a call by Mayor James Nxumalo to residents to take care of their local areas and keep them clean.
The Parks, Leisure and Cemeteries Department run the annual verge competition, which encourages residents to submit picture of verges and other public land that they have helped beautify.
The winners, whose efforts were praised as “impressive”, were given certificates and letters of appreciation at the ceremony, attended by Parks, Leisure and Cemeteries Department officials.
Thembinkosi Ngcobo, head of department, said verges were often the first impression visitors and locals got when entering an area, and the competition recognised those responsible for the best verges in the city.
Mkhize said they had entered the competition for the first time this year.
He said winning the award had motivated the group and they were now keen to clean up other tracts of ill-kept land in Inanda.
The other winners were: Dan and Saras Naicker, 205 Gopalall Hurbans, Tongaat; Colin and Ashwini Kisten, 2 Gainsford Place, La Lucia; Anand and Namina Dela, 10 26th Avenue, Umhlatuzana; Nishen and Urisha Maharaj, 102 Jan Hofmeyer Road, Westville; Prince Mashaba, 75 Ladlepalm Crescent, Phoenix; Marriot Asset Management, Old Main Road, Hillcrest; Pro Gardners for Ndodeni Park, Amatowana, Inanda; and Carol Dixie, 15 Mount Road, Amanzimtoti.
Lance Rasmussen, who ran the competition for the department, said: “The criteria for consideration are creativity in the landscaping, maintenance, visual appeal and how the verge contributes to the beautification of the street and neighbourhood.”
Community members were asked to nominate people who they felt were worthy of recognition. The aim was to promote social cohesion by bringing together members of the community to learn from each other and work together to build pride for their environment and city.
Nomination forms for next year’s competition are available from local Parks, Leisure and Cemeteries District offices and local library, or electronically from Parks, Leisure and Cemeteries and city website. Closing date: November 1, 2015.
Rasmussen said there was no limit to the number of winners, and all participants would get letters of recognition for their efforts, regardless of whether they won or not.
For more information, call 083 454 9819.