The Westdene Neighbourhood Association (WNA) wants to move its focus from cleaning the area to improving security in the area.
According to Michael Deutschman, manager of the WNA, there is a buy-in of around 20% of the businesses in Westdene contributing to cleaning up 100% of the business district.
“At this stage, all the businesses are reaping the fruits of a few that make a monthly contribution. We can do so much more if more businesses get involved.”
The WNA has been cleaning the business district from Kellner Street to Brill Street, and from First Avenue to Third Avenue for the last 18 months.
“The Mangaung Metro promised us that they would collect the refuse last week, so we did not collect on Wednesday. We asked our contractor not to collect in an effort to refocus our expenditure on security. So we gave the municipality the opportunity to prove themselves. Unfortunately, they did not live up to their word.”
The WNA then had no choice but to ask the contractor to step in.
Deutschman says the WNA pays a private contractor R15 000 per month for the cleaning up of the business area of seven blocks, including Barnes Street.
“We also pay Anchor of Hope a monthly fee of R35 000 to keep Westdene clean.”
He says this is especially necessary after weekends.
The WNA also started a monthly recycling action. Residents are invited to bring recyclable material to the park in Brill Street and Haarburger Crescent. The next collection date is Saturday, 21 September, from 09:00 to 11:00.
Another important function the WNA took on is the filling of potholes in the area. Deutschman says with the help of Raubex, who trained members of the WNA, and tar donated by Tau Pele, more than 150 potholes were filled in the last three months.
With a buy-in from more businesses and residents in Westdene, more can be done to keep the area neat and increase safety measures to protect businesses and residents alike.
