Street People Help to Keep Company's Garden Clean and Green

The project also provides employment to destitute people and promotes safety in the Garden.

"This initiative returns people's dignity whilst maintaining the pristine beauty of one of Cape Town's favourite tourism hot spots," says Executive Deputy Mayor Councillor Andrew Arnolds.

Straatwerk, a successful NGO in the city centre, provides a team of three cleaners three times per week, to clean up around the entrance areas of the Garden.

"On average they collect 15 bags of litter per four hour shift which translates into 480 kg of refuse every week," added Deputy Mayor.

According to CCID manager Abdul Kerbelker, the project not only helps to keep the Garden clean, it also assists in the prevention of robberies and aggressive begging. "Through this project we gainfully employ people living on the margins of society.

"The Straatwerk teams earn immediate cash and participate in other empowerment programmes assisting them to obtain ID documents, learning the importance of punctuality as well as getting the opportunity to earn a recommendation for regular employment," says Kerbelker.

The City Parks, Northern District Operations Manager, Chantal Hanslo welcomed the new initiative. "As the oldest public garden in South Africa the Company's Garden provides an oasis in the City. It is one of our region's many tourist attractions. Safety and cleanliness are two important elements in retaining our status as a green lung in an urban setting.

"Apart from the abundant vegetation, the Garden offers facilities such as benches where people can relax, ponds to promote tranquillity, an aviary, and a sundial. Visitors can also enjoy refreshments at the restaurant or visit our exquisite rose garden or historical sites such the Victorian restrooms. This new initiative complements our other job creation project, the monthly Craft market," says Hanslo.

Issued by:
Jan Kruger
Media Liaison Officer - City of Cape Town
Tel: 021 400 1292
Directorate: Communication and Marketing
City of Cape Town
Email: media@capetown.gov.za
Tel: 021 400 2201
Fax: 021 957 0023

Media queries:
Chantal Hanslo
Manager: Operations, Northern District, City Parks
Tel: 021 550 1048