Some citizens lobby for new political leadership or press their local authorities to drive change. But the residents of an Eastern Cape seaside resort town aren’t bothering with protest action. They have decided to get on with things on their own.
Glynnis Carthy shares the story of how Boesmansriviermond has been transformed, thanks to the personal efforts of residents. Once decaying, the village roads have been repaired and public spaces are neat and tidy.
It’s a story that’s sure to inspire anyone who is grumbling about the state of their suburb. Yes, we all know that our rates should be used to get other people to do these jobs – but in the absence of action from local officials, it might be a good idea to crack on with fixing problems so that they don’t get any worse. Let’s all do our part, urges an energised Carthy, even if it’s picking up litter for a few minutes each day. – Jackie Cameron
By Glynnis Carthy*
Making a difference in our village
As a child, I missed out on the “Durbs” vibe but was very fortunate to experience the Eastern Cape instead. My paternal grandparents lived in Grahamstown and my extended family in Kenton-on-Sea and Boknes. Our holidays were spent in Kenton-on-Sea, Grahamstown and Cannon Rocks – areas that were then beautiful and unspoilt. My favourite village in this area is Bushman’s River Mouth.
The rather sterile description given by Wikipedia belies this piece of paradise:
“Boesmansriviermond (Bushman’s River Mouth) is a town in Ndlambe Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.
The village is 25 km from Port Alfred, on the west bank of the Bushman’s River, just across the river from Kenton-on-Sea.[3]”
As an adult, my family spent many holidays in Bushman’s and became good friends with a family there. So much so that in 2008, I moved to Bushman’s to live in the Eastern Cape for a couple of years. It was still a beautiful place but the ANC governance of the Ndlambe Local Municipality had taken its toll. The roads had potholes, the verges were unkempt – it had simply started looking down at heel.
Imagine my surprise when I drove into Bushman’s three weeks ago, to find it looking like it used to! The roads are properly tarred, no potholes and the public spaces and verges are neat. It looks lovely. “What happened?”, I asked our family friend. His reply – the residents stepped up and decided that they would make a difference.
Each person who got involved did a little bit and the suburb has been transformed – all because of tender loving care (TLC). The difference is amazing – and more apparent when you visit Kenton-on-Sea across the river because it, too, could do with such TLC.
I found out more about the changes in Bushman’s – there is a body called The Bushman’s River Mouth Ratepayers Organization (BRRAG) – a body of people with a Mandate from the ratepayers. A key quote caught my attention:
“We believe that we need to be proactive instead of always being re-active”.
BBRAG has taken responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of parks and public open spaces, the village cemetery, as well as public ablution facilities.
In 2015, BBRAG brought back the festive cheer with Christmas lights! A security initiative was implemented over the Festive Season – resulting in work for the locals over an expensive time of year, with the added bonus of zero crime in that period for the residents and holiday-makers.
Kenton-on-Sea from the Bushman's River mouth https://t.co/nBwdsOXiRV pic.twitter.com/K5XyqcBDZf
— Kwenda Travel (@KwendaTravel) March 24, 2016
This got me thinking – why is it that those of us who spend time and money on buying a property, renovating our house, and fixing up the garden are quite happy to sit back and accept that our suburb goes downhill due to the decisions that our local municipality makes?
Now we can protest and say that we pay rates, that Government should fix the roads and take care of the neighbourhood – and well it should. But if Government is NOT doing so, surely, we can each do our little bit to keep things the way they should be?
Even the roads around Sandton and Hyde Park are shocking. These suburbs could take a leaf out of the “backwater” suburb in the Eastern Cape. I know that things could change in time, but the DA has loads to contend with and facilities to provide for poorer people too.
Let’s all do our part – even if it is only 5 minutes a day picking up litter!
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boesmansriviermond
http://www.brrag.co.za/about/all-about-brrag
- Glynnis Carthy is a chartered accountant based in Melkbosstrand, Cape Town. She is an independent financial reporting advisor and previously worked at Deloitte.
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