Focus on Thembalethu

Gallery

GEORGE NEWS - The Department of Community Services supported by other directorates recently undertook a number of projects in and around Thembalethu.

Here is what they have been up to:

Planting trees

The municipality is focusing on the cleaning and greening of the environment, and the focus was on Thembalethu from the beginning of August into September, when Arbor Month is celebrated.

Thembalethu was picked due to the illegal dumping taking place in the area. A team from the municipality's environmental department planted three trees at the Inkubeko Youth and Science Centre in Thembalethu, namely white stinkwood (Celtis africana), wild mulberry (Trimeria grandifolia) and camphor bush (Tarchonanthus camphoratus).

More trees were left at the site for the employees to plant. All the trees were donated by Precious Tree Project and other donors.

Library hosts painting demonstration

Thembalethu Library hosted several artists including Anthony Noble, Ernest Ntseke and Bob Bulelani, who held painting demonstrations on the theme of illegal dumping. Several displays regarding illegal dumping were set up at the entrance of the library where everybody would see them.

The importance of recycling was also covered and depicted. During National Book Week, 6 to 10 September, pupils at the different schools were invited to either write a poem or essay about illegal dumping. All poems and essays will be exhibited inside the library.

Thembalethu sport grounds

The sport development section is mandated to create an environment that accommodates sport in George. As part of the municipality's continuous effort to ensure a sport-friendly environment, the team launched an intensive effort to clean up the entrance to the Thembalethu sport grounds.

Soccer opportunities

After engagement with the local football association, an initiative was launched that will help provide more opportunities for the youth to play soccer and enter into the sport.

Photo gallery: Projects in and around Thembalethu

In collaboration with the directorate of civil engineering, three mini-soccer courts were painted on the paved area at the Thembalethu sport grounds. These courts will go a long way in facilitating soccer development programmes, as well as holiday programmes aimed at the youth.

An intensive effort was pulled off to clean up the entrance to the Thembalethu sport grounds.

Weeds and removal of trees

The tree and cemeteries team focused on the eradication and herbicide application of weeds all along the main roads in Thembalethu, as well as on sidewalks and municipal open spaces.

Several problem trees were removed including four in Nelson Mandela Boulevard, a dead oak tree at the T Junction, two trees at the Thembalethu Thusong Centre and a pine tree in Ncamanza Street. Trees were trimmed on Ncamanza and Tshefu streets to improve street visibility.

Illegal dumping: cleaning of Nelson Mandela Boulevard

This project started in Nelson Mandela Boulevard in late August. The purpose was to target the illegal dumping sites, clearing them to try and prevent or reduce ongoing dumping there.

Unfortunately, Thembalethu is the biggest hotspot for illegal dumping in the George area.

Information flyers on the dangers of illegal dumping were also handed out from door to door to remind residents why they should report and/or prevent illegal dumping in their communities.

George Traffic Department road safety outreach

The traffic department recently focused on road safety in Thembalethu with the aim to educate drivers on sharing the road with one another, not to speed and to be tolerant on the road.

Officers distributed road safety educational pamphlets to educate pedestrians on safe walking and the proper method of crossing roads.

The road safety mascot, Danny Cat, also visited Tyholorha and Thembalethu primary schools where officers spoke about road safety and explained the importance of sanitising one's hands.

Road Safety mascot Danny Cat and senior traffic officer Edwin Felix at Thembalethu Primary School.