Stellenbosch Municipality is planning a beautification project in Cloetesville to discourage illegal dumping. This is according to Stuart Grobbelaar, communications manager for Stellenbosch Municipality.
Every morning, workers from StellCARE clean the streets and fields in Cloetesville. However, by the next day, piles of litter have accumulated again. This is according to Sonja Adonis, a Cloetesville community worker, and Bettie Nieuwoudt, the director of StellCARE. StellCARE is a non-profit organisation that provides support for Stellenbosch communities, according to its website. PHOTO: Reid Donson
“The aim is to deter litter and dumping by creating vibrant and beautiful gardens to instil a sense of community pride,” said Grobbelaar in correspondence with SMF News. “[It is also to] encourage residents to dispose of litter and rubble at any of our waste facilities or through weekly refuse removal.”
Stellenbosch Mayoral Committee councillors Reginald Pheiffer, who oversees infrastructure, and Ndipiwe Olayi, who is in charge of parks and open spaces, visited Cloetesville on 25 February “to assess [the area’s] needs and plan the way forward with our dedicated Parks Team”, said Grobbelaar.
“My contribution to the project […] is to eradicate illegal dumping and find sustainable means for the disposal of additional waste,” said Pheiffer in correspondence with SMF News.
Pheiffer said that Olayi “will be doing the part of implementing beautification projects at sites that have been illegal dumping hot spots”.
A date for the commencement of the project had not been set by time of publication, according to Grobbelaar.
While the municipality has not identified a specific area for beautification yet, numerous potential sites are being looked at, “such as next to the sports fields and open areas along Long Street”, said Grobbelaar.
Open areas along Long Street in Cloetesville are potential spots for a planned beautification project, according to Stuart Grobbelaar, communications manager for Stellenbosch Municipality. PHOTO: Reid Donson
The swimming pool
Multiple Cloetesville residents identified the community swimming pool in Last Street as a common area for illegal dumping. These residents requested anonymity due to safety concerns.
The waste at the swimming pool is cleaned daily by StellCARE, according to Sonja Adonis, a Cloetesville community worker.
StellCARE is a non-profit organisation working towards empowering “vulnerable children, families and communities” in Stellenbosch, according to its website.
Despite StellCARE’s efforts, SMF News observed a large amount of waste near the swimming pool, which, according to Adonis, accumulates within a single day.
“This happens at nighttime most of the time. Sometimes during the day,” said Sonja Adonis, a Cloetesville community worker, referring to the pile of waste by the swimming pool in Cloetesville. PHOTO: Reid Donson
“StellCARE is coming to clean now at 8:00,” said Adonis, in conversation with SMF News at the swimming pool early one morning. “Every day they come to clean.”
The way forward
“[Illegal dumping] is really a problem,” said Bettie Nieuwoudt, director of StellCARE. “It literally happens overnight.”
After being informed of the beautification project, Nieuwoudt said that StellCARE would like to be involved.
“StellCARE can assist,” said Nieuwoudt. “We have to plan together.”