Volunteers from Ubuhle BeGqeberha cleared an illegal dumping site. (Photo: Supplied / Bongiwe Masombuka) When verges are overgrown and illegal dumping piles up high in Nelson Mandela Bay, it is increasingly residents — not the municipality — who are rolling up their sleeves to clean up.
Across the Friendly City, community groups and volunteers, armed with gloves and refuse bags, are cutting grass, clearing dumping sites, and even filling potholes in a bid to restore pride in their neighbourhoods.
If it is not residents from Gatvol PE filling potholes that have gone unrepaired for months, it is organisations such as TidyNMB and Ubuhle BeGqeberha rallying neighbours to tackle overgrown verges and clear litter.
While TidyNMB and its volunteers clean streets and cut grass in public spaces — duties that rest on the municipality’s shoulders — the organisation says it is not seeking to replace or shame the metro for its shortcomings.
On the contrary, it aims to “build a friendly relationship with the municipality”, said Dr Johann Malherbe, one of the founders and organisers of TidyNMB.
“We want to help the municipality. They cannot do this on their own ... collaboration is at the heart of TidyNMB,” he said.
/file/attachments/orphans/Photo3_422522.jpeg "TidyNMB on Tuesday launched its first “Tidy Tuesday” initiative, with plans to host clean-ups in different neighbourhoods every week. (Photo: TidyNMB)")
Volunteers who participate in the programme receive a stipend from the organisation, which relies on the generosity of residents and businesses, said Malherbe.
The initiative began in 2022 as a small neighbourhood project in Kragga Kamma Park. Residents organised themselves and hired someone to clean and maintain neglected areas.
By May 2024, however, Malherbe realised the initiative needed to expand after noticing refuse scattered along Kragga Kamma Road.
He said the most effective solution was for communities to unite and work collectively to clean up their surroundings.
“People should think of the streets as an extension of their garden,” he said. “We want people to take responsibility and pride in their neighbourhoods.”
During clean-up drives, volunteers typically collect between 30 to 40 bags of rubbish, even in areas considered to have relatively low levels of litter. Malherbe emphasised that the project was not exclusive to any specific neighbourhood.
/file/attachments/orphans/Photo4_710765.jpeg "On Tuesday, 3 March, volunteers cleaned a street in Kragga Kamma. Next week, the group will be in Gelvandale. (Photo: TidyNMB)")
The project has since launched a ‘Tidy Tuesdays’ clean-up initiative, committing to revitalising a different neighbourhood in need of attention every week.
Since TidyNMB was established, several similar initiatives have emerged across the metro, with occasional collaboration between groups working towards the same goal.
Grassroots movement
One such initiative is Ubuhle BeGqeberha, founded by Bongiwe Masombuka. The grassroots movement mobilises about 40 volunteers in KwaZakhele to tackle what Masombuka describes as a “pandemic and crisis” of illegal dumping.
Masombuka said Ubuhle BeGqeberha loosely translates to “The Beauty of Gqeberha”.
“The project focuses on cleaning illegal dumping sites and turning them into visually appealing spaces for communities to enjoy. We are not only looking at clearing illegal dumping, but also empowering volunteers. I want to empower them to get jobs,” she said.
/file/attachments/orphans/Photo1_141257.jpeg "Volunteers from Ubuhle BeGqeberha clear an illegal dumping site. (Photo: Supplied / Bongiwe Masombuka)")
Masombuka believes the state of the streets reflects more than just cleanliness; it mirrors the community’s mood and mindset. For her, a clean and orderly street signals happier, more positive residents.
“Waking up and seeing an illegal dumpsite is frustrating and demoralising. Our motivation is to make people understand how these conditions affect our daily lives. By working together, reclaiming our communities and taking action ourselves, we can drive real, positive change,” she said.
She said their efforts were starting to pay off, with local youngsters reaping the benefits. A once heavily polluted pond has been transformed into a scenic spot enjoyed by residents.
However, she criticised the municipality for what she described as slow and inconsistent refuse collection, saying the delays only strengthened her resolve.
“I am going to push this project and spread the word as much as I can so that we can achieve the results I would like to see in our community. This is an important matter to me and everyone involved,” she said.
Asked how the initiative had been received, Masombuka said community members were optimistic.
“The community is thrilled and supportive. They are happy to see change, to see someone taking action and addressing the challenges they are facing. We have enjoyed a lot of support, and people get involved when they can. We are seeing many people getting involved, especially those living close to illegal dump sites,” she said.
While the project brings much-needed relief to communities, Masombuka says there is still an urgent need for donations of personal protective equipment (gloves, face masks, and safety shoes and overalls), as well as funding to help remunerate volunteers. DM