The Democratic Alliance (DA) has appealed to Sol Plaatje municipality to do more to tidy up the derelict city of Kimberley by implementing a rotational grass cutting schedule and ensuring targeted investment in critical equipment to keep the grass on sidewalks and in public spaces short.
Of the twenty-six brush cutters previously procured by Sol Plaatje municipality, only six are still operational or have not been stolen. The municipality also only has one team for tree felling in the whole of Kimberley and Ritchie.
Veld on pavements and in open spaces around schools, residential areas and surrounding footpaths, is long and unkempt, tarnishing the image of the city and creating hideaways for criminals. Thorn bushes are left to grow out and block stop signs, and motorists must swing out into the middle of the road to avoid tree branches scratching their vehicles.
The sidewalks on the city outskirts, and at city entrances, are not maintained. This shows a complete disregard for increased visibility, road safety and making a good impression on visitors. The state of our railroad entrances to Kimberley is a particular eyesore for international tourists, passing through weekly on Rovos Rail and the Blue Train.
The city’s cemeteries are also an undignified mess, with grass only cut in isolated areas when there is a funeral.
With the new Sol Plaatje budget tabled, we appreciate the commitment to buy two tractor mowers, and the establishment of a team to maintain the city’s cemeteries. This is long overdue but it will take much more effort and investment to address the extensive overgrowth backlog in and around the city.
To ensure maximum output by the parks and gardens unit, in collaboration with concurrent EWPW cleaning projects, the DA has requested the municipality to ensure that their allocation is strategically directed towards addressing equipment shortfalls. We have also asked that the ad hoc system of grass cutting and tree felling be scrapped and replaced with rotational schedules, that are effectively monitored by management. This is important to ensure that a basic level of pride is restored and maintained in all areas of Kimberley.