Man turns polluted river bank into park
A local man has transformed a neglected, overgrown, and polluted section of the Komani River bank into a beautiful park for the community.
Admire Ntuzelele Magogotya, 65, has brought new life to the area, which was once plagued by crime.
Magogotya, who earned himself employment from AR Boards for cleaning up the area, has been using recycled building materials to create unique features, turning it into a special place for people to enjoy.
The park now includes benches, a picnic area, and a variety of artistic touches, such as stairs to reach the lower area of the park, sidewalk rails and a tree stump stand, to add a bit more personality to the area.
“Before I started, the store manager Amos Chikonde said that people were getting robbed in the area and that the company wasn’t visible enough. He gave me three months to clean up the place and I ended up getting a job. When I began working he said the area was covered with thorns, tall weeds, diapers and garbage. Someone even told me that I was wasting my time.”
But it was his vision of transforming the area that kept him going.
Magogotya said he planted grass and, after doing so, he noticed that people were coming to enjoy the grassy area.
He was inspired to build benches from broken bricks and pillars for people could sit down and relax.
The pedestrians who were making use of the area and workers who were using the place to have lunch often told him how much they appreciated his work and how the area was much safer after clearing the area.
“I feel happy when I see people coming to enjoy the park. Sometimes people tip me for the work I do here.
“Even at my job, I was given an additional bonus because people were so impressed with the park. There are two boxes where people can leave feedback. The complaints one is always empty, and the positive feedback is always full.”
He said he also managed to get rid of the litter-filled water that would come from the township by creating a furrow.
“I also made paving for people to not have to wade through the mud when walking.”
He said the store provided him with a lawnmower to cut the grass.
His desire is for the local municipality to put fencing along the river area to discourage dumping.
At the moment the park does not have a name. His wish is for the park to be named after his English name Admire someday, but he says most places are named after people who have died.