Pristine Pathways, how you can support a cleaner, safer neighbourhood
Seeff Southern Suburbs is delighted to be one of the sponsors of the Pristine Pathways initiative, and we would encourage other residents and businesses to also join this vital initiative for our communities, says Francois Venter, lead agent for Seeff | The Uppers.
It is well known that litter and waste, illegal dumping, and crime are some of the biggest challenges faced by most neighbourhoods throughout the city, including the Constantia and Southern Suburbs areas.
It has become necessary for residents and local businesses to assist initiatives which aim to fill the gaps left by municipal services. An important project that does this not only for the Constantia community, but also for Gugulethu, “Pristine Pathways.” It is an initiative of the Pristine Earth Collective which offers a unique solution that combines environmental cleanup with community engagement.
The program focuses on specific hotspots, and hires trusted individuals from nearby low-income areas. These employees become visible presences, cleaning up litter and keeping an eye out for suspicious activity. In addition to local cleanups, the team also cleans up informal and low income areas such as Gugulethu.
The project does not only provide employment (80h/week), but also cleans up the environment in both Gugulethu and Constantia. This reciprocity is key to the project's success. The employed residents dedicate a portion of their time to cleaning their own neighbourhoods, fostering a sense of shared responsibility for a cleaner, safer South Africa.
Constantia Valley was the first to pilot the project by Pristine Pathways in November 2021. The initial three-month period proved highly successful. Over 100 bags of rubbish were collected within the first two weeks, with residents reporting cleaner streets. The positive outcomes led to the program becoming permanent in Constantia. By August 2022, the project expanded to the Sea Point beachfront and plans to tackle Muizenberg next.
As at May 2024 the team had collected 8963 bags of rubbish in Constantia alone, and a further 4230 bags were collected in Gugulethu by the Constantia team. Several clean ups were undertaken around the Constantia area recently including the informal settlement area behind the Constantia Emporium, Constantia Main Road, as well as Brommersvlei Road, and Alphen Drive.
The Pristine Pathways initiative facilitates a cleaner environment, and promotes a sense of community safety and a more secure future for all while at the same time, creating employment opportunities and fostering collaboration.
Strong community relationships are essential to the Pristine Pathways projects. It relies on collaboration between residents' associations, security companies, environmental organisations, and local businesses. This collaborative approach also ensures the programme's long-term sustainability.
There are several ways in which local residents and businesses can contribute financially. Pristine Earth Collective is a registered South African Public Benefit Organisation (PBO Reference No. 930069124). Visit them here for more information.
