Atlantic seaboard residents who go out of their way to improve the neighbourhoods they live in and help others were recognised for their hard work by the City of Cape Town..
The active citizens got awards from ward councillors Nicola Jowell and Ian McMahon at a ceremony held at the City’s offices in Wale Street for their service in Good Hope Sub-council 16.
One of the recipients was Chris Von Ulmenstein who was featured in the Atlantic Sun in August for her dedication to keeping Camps Bay clean (“Picking up litter on the platinum mile” August 19).
“I met Chris two years ago when she spoke at the Camps Bay AGM and invited me to join her for a walk which I did. And since then Chris has been pivotal in helping to look after the area,” said Ms Jowell.
“From daily reports of what needs to be attended to from the small issues to the big ones, she has become a spokesperson for the community and through this we have been able to do so much more. Chris has personally made it a passion to deal with the litter in the area, she has raised funds and employed people and has worked with organisations to do this same,” Ms Jowell said.
Theresa Massaglia and Alan Marsh, the founders of Community Who Cares (CWC) were recognised for their work with street children.
“They have driven the community involvement around creating positive partnerships to assist the homeless to come off the street through positive partnerships,” said Ms Jowell.
“From donating 100s of masks in Covid, to fundraising to assist community kitchens in Hout Bay, to raising donations following the fires end of 2020. They believe in creating options that provide dignity and in tackling the problem through the creation of positive projects. For example after identifying the fact that many of the street children who come from the area come from Kalksteenfontein they are setting up projects not in Camps Bay but in Kalksteenfontein to address the issue on the ground and aid in finding solutions for these children,” said Ms Jowell.
The De Waterkant Volunteers Group received a certificate of recognition for their labours in community park project.
“Trips to the nursery, trees, plants and various species were chosen, a design was created pro-bono by well-known landscaper Johan van Papendorp, Green Point CID donated paving and Astro for the play equipment and an all-in-all bringing of people together happened right in the time of Covid, and neighbours who never knew the names of people living across the road, joined forces, dug holes, planted shrubs and trees, it is the most marvellous example of community gees and spirit. I’m so proud to have witness this group of active citizens and residents, whom have forged friendships, created a community-led park project and celebrate Ubuntu in De Waterkant,” said Mr McMahon.
