Two Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) ministers in Gqberha (PE) have encouraged residents in their communities to help change some of the things that we mostly complain about, such as potholes and faded road markings.
Ds Robert-John de Kock of the Nooitgedacht congregation said the idea came to him that instead of just complaining about the many neglected potholes in the city, their community could fix those in their area. He said that as well as solving a problem and helping to improve the city, the project has the potential of bringing people together and building strong community relationships.
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A product that can be used to fill potholes is available for purchase in Gqeberha. However, he told Gateway News they are currently buying material from a community organisation in Johanessburg that is producing and promoting a synthetic tar that is much easier to use. He said, however, they are looking for ways to have the product manufactured locally to boost the economy and create job opportunities. A team led by a colleague, Ds Wimke Jurgens is working on this possibility.
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Ds De Kock said he would like to see the pothole initiative spreading to other areas. Anybody who would like to join them or start a project in their area may contact him at 082 297 8102.
Another group of great Gqeberha citizens are making a difference in their neighbourhood, through participating in a street painting project initiated by Ds Toit Wessels of the Kraggakamma congregation. They are repainting faded road markings such as stop signs and lines in the Sunridge Park and Fernglen areas.
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“We have involved a lot of people with this project as we wanted to take it out of the the church and bring it to the community. We have done more than 30 stop signs and 15 speed humps in these neighbourhoods.” said Wessels.
He said they started their project to prevent accidents as there are many schools and creches in the neighbourhood. They have also got ward councillors involved in the initiative.
Funds and resources for the street painting are sponsored by local people, he said. They do their best to first paint the streets closest to the donors. The right kind of paint and rollers are readily available at hardware stores. They were provided stencils to repaint stop sign markings as a donation.
Anybody interested n finding out more about the project can contact Ds Wessels at toit.wessels@hotmail.com.
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Such good news! People complain about “no jobs’ unemployment. One can WORK without being employed. These folk show us how. God bless them and their example.
So let’s get this straight. I render to Caesar what is due to Caesar. The money disappears (let’s not go there!). So the potholes don’t get fixed. Now the unemployed, who do not even have money to feed their children, are given the opportunity to work, (as volunteers) and to count it good news. Please tell me how this works!
It might be a very good start towards local self governance or Article 235 progression!