From rubbish dump to green haven

Now, in just under six months, over 20 volunteers have transformed the erstwhile illegal dumping site on the corner of Tshepe and Kgotso streets into a haven, with indigenous trees and a sprawling and meticulously manicured lawn. 

The park has been nicely fitted with swings, braai stands, and rubbish bins, benches and lights, as well as a walkway. It smells of nothing but foliage and vegetation. 

Overhauling that space into a green lung was a joint venture between the City and the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment (GDACE). 

At a special ceremony held on Friday 8 February to officially open Molapo Park, indigenous trees and flowers were planted, which signalled the continuation of the City’s Greening of Soweto project that envisages turning Johannesburg, as a metro, into the biggest man-made forest in the world and wisely utilising open spaces. 

“Let us use the environment to break down the barriers of economic exclusion and the threat of global warming,” said Patrick Matsau, a deputy director for land care projects at GDACE. 

Matsau, speaking ahead of planting the trees, noted that he was delighted to join the community of Soweto in celebrating an urban greening partnership that has created a haven. The quality of life is improved through the beautification of our surroundings, he said. “These spaces are a haven for outdoor lifestyle, a place for joggers, walkers and nature lovers. 

“We know that people in green surroundings feel much more satisfied and relaxed, and are healthier than those living in concrete jungles,” he said. 

Matsau further highlighted that urban greening was an activity to be carried out not only by government and NGOs, but also by members of the community, starting with simple home-based permaculture gardening. 

The more than 20 unemployed people who laboured to revamp the open space were a mixture of young and old. “This was a gesture by this community to say that we are tired of illegal dumping,” said Mziwakhe Nhlapo, the project leader. 

When starting the project, Nhlapo said that he challenged the community to stop illegal dumping, as he dubbed it selfish. “People who dump illegally don’t care about the environment and the health of others, including their own,” he noted. 

“With this project we would like to encourage the people of Soweto to stop illegal dumping.” He added that the volunteers will earnestly fight against environmental degradation. 

The City takes the protection, conservation and enhancement of its environment seriously, noted Fisani Sigaba, an environmental health practitioner within the City. 

The monitoring and controlling of illegal dumping, costs the City a lot of money. “This cannot be allowed, as these wasted funds are needed for urgent projects such as housing, infrastructure and other municipally provided services,” Sigaba warned. 

The City encourages its residents to stop and report illegal dumping, littering of pavements and roads, parklands, illegal land invasion and the appalling vandalism of council-owned properties. 

To report illegal dumping in Soweto call Pikitup on 011 712 5434 

In addition, Soweto is an urban area in which residential and land development is rapidly occurring; hence there is a dire need to accelerate greening programmes and enhance the quality of life by retaining green spaces. 

According to Prema Naidoo, the member of the Mayoral Committee for environment, the campaign of greening Soweto is tailored to solve greening problems caused by urbanisation. 

Written by: Lesego Madumo
11 February 2008