Mayco member for Community Services and Health, Francine Higham visited Thandabantu Park in Dunoon on Wednesday, March 18, to paint the fence around the park
Image: SUPPLIED
What was once an illegal dumping site in Dunoon — originally intended as a safe play area for local children — has now been restored to its former purpose, offering residents a renewed public space.
Thandabantu Park has been cleared and upgraded, with green grass now surrounding tall palm trees, alongside newly installed wooden play equipment for children and outdoor gym apparatus for older residents wanting to keep active.
In a social media reel posted on Saturday, March 14, Geordin Hill-Lewis was seen visiting the park, describing the change as “an unbelievable transformation” compared to just two months ago, when the area was littered with waste, including tyres and other discarded items.
“This is the transformation we hope to have in every township, in every park across our beautiful city, and this tells me it is possible,” he said.
The post drew mixed reactions from the public, including residents within Tabletalk’s distribution area.
Former Brooklyn, Ysterplaat and Rugby Ratepayers’ Association (BYRRA) chairperson Fay Vogel said Brooklyn had been “forgotten”, adding that parks in the area had been in poor condition for years.
Table View resident Paulette Killow raised concerns about the long-term upkeep of the facility.
“Who will make sure this space will stay clean and in this condition? Or will we soon see the dumping site back at this beautiful setting?” she asked.
Environmental activist and Save-a-Fishie founder Zoe Prinsloo, from Richwood, described the upgrade as “unbelievable”.
Dunoon community activist Zee Ngcambu thanked the mayor for giving “Dunoon another fair chance”, while calling for similar improvements to other parks in the area.
However, not all responses were positive, with some social media users labelling the project a “political stunt”, while others called out the video for being artificial intelligence (AI).
Mayco member for community services and health, Francine Higham, visited the park on Tuesday, March 18, to oversee final touch-ups, including painting the surrounding fence, alongside City staff and community members.
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Thandabantu Park in Dunoon underwent a R720,000 upgrade at the weekend
Image: SUPPLIED
Speaking to Tabletalk, she confirmed the total cost of the project was R720,000.
“The department undertook various internal processes, along with continuous engagement with the community, prior to the upgrade. This included the consistent removal of illegal dumping to restore the facility to its original condition,” she said.
She said that part of the project had been funded through a donation, and acknowledged the role of local “park buddies” who work with the City to help maintain the space.
“The park will be maintained in accordance with the City’s maintenance schedule,” she said.
A before picture of Thandabantu Park in Dunoon
Image: SUPPLIED