Tshwane - Property management company City Property is spearheading a project to clean up the area next to Nelson Mandela Drive in the city.

Early this morning City Property kicked off an initiative to clean the area on Nelson Mandela Drive between Pretorius and Johannes Ramokhoase Streets, and along the Apies river.

“Over the next week, we will be transforming this environment.  Our blitz operation will be sustained with regular cleaning – we’re committed to ensure change for the future”, Jeffrey Wapnick, managing director of City Property said.

This morning alone, over 210 bags of rubbish and two invasive trees were removed from the small stretch of vacant land behind Leo’s Place, between Nelson Mandela Drive and Pretorius Street.

“Our aim is to create an area that is clean and safe for everybody to use.  We will be clearing the area of rubbish, drugs and vegetation.  From my visit to the site this morning, it seems an easy place for criminals to hide.  Within a week they will not be able to use this area for their illegal activities any longer”, Wapnick explained.

“As the clean-up is on Nelson Mandela Drive, we also celebrate Mandela Day this month.  It was our great former statesman who said that “a good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination."  We love our city, and we know what needs to be done, and by calling on suppliers, stakeholders and staff we make a formidable team.  I believe Madiba would be proud of what we are doing in the capital city. 

“We hope that the City of Tshwane, tertiary institutions, schools, corporates and other property owners will join us.  We want this to be a collective effort that will have a lasting impact.”  

The expertise of various key stakeholders was brought in to assist with this mammoth undertaking.  Catherine Keyworth and Stephen du Preez from the Central Improvement Districts in Arcadia and Johannesburg are providing their know-how and time at no cost, while City Property is sponsoring the cleaning and security, along with Lami and JC Security. 

In build-up to Mandela Day on 18 July, collaboration and passion prove to be an impressive combination. 

Interested companies who want to get involved can contact Lettitia Findlay on 083 208 0726 to join this initiative.