By Jonk wa Mashamba
news@alexreporter.co.za
“I will make sure his vision comes true and legacy lives on, “said Thoko Elizabeth Selimane, founder member of Green Vines Nature.
Thoko’s business partner, Basil Tshabalala was brutally shot with four bullets and died on the spot on London Road recently .
Tshabalala and Thoko had a vision to revive Alexandra parks to another levels.
Although she was left devastated by Tshabala’s horrific death, she said she would never give up until what he stood for came to fruition.
She said it all began as a dream, then a vision to embrace Alexandra’s parks.
The company has 3 directors — Thoko, also known as Bettina, Tebogo Jacob Madigane, also know as Liffy and Desmond Kevin Jabulane Tshabalala, Basil’s younger brother.
When the company was granted permission to develop a single park, Lion Crescent Park (an already developed park that needed only maintenance), she felt it was not enough.
Even though they were told by City Parks no funds to rebirth the park 3.
They then proceeded to inquire about donations / sponsorships while continuing to maintain all four parks – from Vasco da Gama, Lion Crescent, East Bank Cemetery Park, Park 3, Park 2, all the way to Park 1 by East Bank Hall, throughout to London Road.
Thoko heard about the NPO and NGO workshops organized in Sankopano through Khulisa Social Solutions which she began attending.
She saw them as being beneficial. Following her participation, she learned much about mental health, conflict management, social cohesion, administration, how to manage the organization and much more.
“Through the workshops, I earned credits for a possible sponsorship,” she said.
Simelane stated that she continued to attend workshops, meetings and carry out her daily duties.
Her dedicated team of volunteers were still on the field, working in parks, collecting garbage, landscaping, mowing grass and maintaining parks without compensation.
Green Vines Nature was approached by Khulisa for collaboration. All procedures to adopt and lease the park were followed with input from Ward 105 Councillor, Tefo Raphadu, City Parks, JPCZ and others who provided assistance wherever they could.
Khulisa Social Solutions has called on Attorneys, an architect, an investor to work together with Green Vines Nature NPC to develop and rehabilitate the park 3.
“The park and the river will bring about life, rejuvenation and health and hygiene awareness to the community of Alexandra. Not forgetting job creations throughout the years to come, “said Thoko.
She said the parks were recently visited by the department of Water and Sanitation to see how best they could assist with the project and whether the plans were in par with their terms and conditions.
She stated that the development and rehabilitation of Park 3 will continue in stages until it is completed.
According to the hard working woman, Phase 1 started this week, where after rubble that has closed the river will be moved and the flow of the water re-directed back under the bridge through to the river.
She said the other rubble on the land will also be moved and the soil will be levelled to its origin.
She also emphasized that the closed pathways and other art decorations of the park will be worked out.