Oudtshoorn, 16 July 2024 – The Environmental Department of the Greater Oudtshoorn, in partnership with the Municipal Parks and Recreation Department, Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment will launch a transformative Mandela Day Project in Rosevalley commencing on Wednesday, 17 July 2024.
This project, which forms part of the Municipal Cleaning and Greening Campaign, aims to encourage sustainability through community engagement and environmental guidance for the next four weeks starting on Wednesday. The objectives of the Mandela Day Project are to improve the cleanliness of the area, improve the environmental quality of the community and ensure sustainable food resources for the community.
This week, the Greater Oudtshoorn Municipality kicks off this community project with a clearing and clean-up operation at Rose Valley. Led by the Parks and Recreation Department in collaboration with various stakeholders, the operation aims to prepare a designated area for establishing a community food garden. On Wednesday, 17th July, the focus will be on vegetation removal to clear the site, setting the area for Thursday, 18th July, when the clean-up operation will commence with active participation from community members.
Following the initial clearing and clean-up efforts, Week 2 will intensify the groundwork and preparatory activities at Rose Valley. Scheduled from 22nd to 26th July, these activities are crucial in readying the site for the upcoming planting phase. The Municipality encourages community involvement during this phase to ensure the site is well-prepared for sustainable agricultural practices.
Weeks 3 and 4 mark the planting activity at Rose Valley. Beginning on 29th July, the Municipality, alongside community volunteers, will embark on planting initiatives across the designated area. In collaboration with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, households connected to the site will also receive seeds as part of a new pilot project to enhance food security within the Greater Oudtshoorn Municipal area.
Environmental Officer, Mr Ambrose Carelse, added that this is a pilot project that will be duplicated in other areas of the Greater Oudtshoorn, to minimise illegal dumping in communities, but the main objective is that community members take ownership of the food gardens. This also serves as an open invitation to any organisation and business that would like to partner on this initiative.
This project also forms part of Councillor Dora Moos’ Ward Projects for this financial year and demonstrates the Greater Oudtshoorn Municipality’s dedication to building community spirit and supporting sustainable living. We encourage all community members to join us in creating a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable future.
Photos: Rosevalley Area