Major bush-clearing is under way at Humansdorp in a joint effort to keep Kouga communities clean safe from crime – and to support local small, medium, and micro-enterprises (SMMEs).
This comprehensive project, spearheaded by Kouga Municipality’s Local Economic Development Department and Community Service Department, forms an integral part of the municipality’s Keep Kouga Safe and Keep Kouga Clean campaigns.
Over 25 locally based SMMEs, who are registered on the municipality’s data base with clear compliance, will be used in the ongoing project.
Kouga Executive Mayor, Horatio Hendricks, said two SMMEs from Humansdorp and Hankey respectively had started clearing alien vegetation in crime hotspots in April this year.
The first two SMMEs to receive their equipment are Samfix and Vernon Blessings.
They each received chain saws, tool kits, brush cutters, rakes and personal protective equipment, including helmets, gloves, jackets and goggles.
“The areas they are currently focusing on includes the open spaces in Kruisfontein, Panorama, Arcadia and Boskloof,” he said. “These areas are very bushy, which provides the ideal cover for criminals who have been targeting pedestrians on their way to or from work, town and schools.
“It, furthermore, improves the safety of people in the vicinity by reducing the risk of fires breaking out.
“The project will soon be expanded to other areas across Kouga.”
According to Hendricks, bush-clearing is among the strategies the municipality would be pursuing to help make Kouga the safest region in South Africa. “Projects like these are essential if we are to achieve this goal.”
He thanked Kouga Municipality’s Local Economic Development Department and Community Service Department for taking hands to bring the bush-clearing and job creation project to fruition – creating much-needed business growth.
The Local Economic Development Department provided the financial resources for registration support, health and safety training, equipment, and local bush clearing projects.
“Also in the pipeline is a Business Support Centre in Ocean View – a one-stop shop where SMMEs can be assisted with services such as business registration, IT services, and training,” said Hendricks.
“It has come to our attention that our SMMEs are struggling to get these services, therefore the municipality has secured R300 000 in its Capital Budget for the roll-out of the programme.
“The aim is also to create job opportunities for local SMMEs during the renovation phase of the centre.”
According to Hendricks, the process has already commenced with designs to be submitted to the Portfolio Committee for approval.
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