Garden competitions look for new green thumbs in Yellowwood Park
Garden competitions look for new green thumbs in Yellowwood Park
IN a bid to restore community pride and beautify Yellowwood Park and Woodhaven, the Yellowwood Park and Woodhaven Ratepayers and Residents Association has revived its much-loved garden competition. Organised by the association's environmental officer Ayanda Ndlela, the initiative encourages residents to beautify their gardens, especially the verges outside their homes.
Also read: Yellowwood Park and Woodhaven Residents and Ratepayers Association launch new precinct project
Unlike in past years when residents would need to nominate themselves to take part, the format has been redesigned to be more inclusive and accessible.
'We found only residents who had spent decades maintaining their verges were entering and as much as their gardens are beautiful, it actually ended up discouraging new entrants who thought that they could never get a chance,' said Ndlela.
Yellowwood Park and Woodhaven has been divided into 12 precincts, each of which has its own co-ordinator. The co-ordinators, who already roam their area for municipal issues, also now monitor gardens and verges. The co-ordinators take note of not only the best maintained gardens, but most improved garden spaces.
This latest honour goes to Muziwandile Gwambe, who has lived in the area for four years. Gwambe, who does his own gardening and cares for verges on his own, said he began working on his garden as soon as he moved in. 'It took a lot of hard work to redo the place. I've had a green thumb for most of my life and I hope I can pass that down to my children,' said Gwambe.
Gwambe was also rewarded for going the extra mile by creating and maintaining a beautiful, landscaped display on the verge opposite his property.
Kishan Singh, chairperson of the association, said the competition plays a critical role in community engagement. 'If we could have more people in the community doing what Gwambe is doing, imagine how even more pretty our already beautiful community could be,' said Singh.
Ndlela said the association is open to more sponsorship to keep their garden competition going. Currently the prizes acquired include a R250 Pavilion Shopping Centre voucher and a gym voucher.
He added that anyone interested in sponsoring the competition can contact Ayanda Ndlela on 064 387 3442
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