The Keep PMB Clean Action (KPCA) Group has officially turned one year old! As they celebrate this milestone, the dedicated team of volunteers has made significant progress in awakening the spirit of the elephant and restoring the beauty of Pietermaritzburg.
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa (08 November 2024) – A year ago, a dream was born: to breathe new life into the heart of Pietermaritzburg. The Keep PMB Clean Action (KPCA) Group, a dedicated team of passionate individuals, has been the driving force behind this inspiring transformation.
Since its inception, KPCA has been tirelessly working to clean up, beautify, and revitalize the city. By rallying the community, they’ve initiated a series of projects that have had a profound impact. From the revitalisation of Victoria Road to the restoration of the iconic Chief Albert Luthuli Bridge, KPCA has left its mark on the city’s landscape.
One of their most heartwarming initiatives, the #LovePMB #LoveTrees campaign, called the community to wrap a red ribbon around trees near their property, school or business to advocate for tree conservation and promote environmental awareness.
The symbol of the elephant, representing the city’s heritage, has also become a powerful emblem of KPCA’s mission. The organisation’s influence has also seen young and old fully embracing the elephant, (which has come to affectionately be known as “Ellie”) for worthy causes.
Seniors have been knitting and sewing Ellies, businesses have been hiring festive Ellie wreaths and local schools have been creating an Ellie to fill with cans and R20s.
These are just some of the many amazing strides achieved by KPCA. Reflecting on a year of spreading goodness in the city she loves most, KPCA’s Executive Director Lara Edmonds said it has been exciting to see the city’s spirit rising to embrace PMB’s physical restoration.
“It was a joy to celebrate our first birthday. Our call has been for Pietermaritzburg to rise and shine. It’s just wonderful to see our city waking up. Our city is called uMgungundlovu, the place of the elephant. It’s like it’s been a sleeping mammoth. And it has been a mammoth task to revive the new organisation but we’ve had such great support. Just to see people, schools and businesses embracing the mission has been so exciting.
“I had no idea that we would take a bridge. I had no idea that we would transform a bridge. It’s been a wonderful revolution and people rising with paintbrushes and brush cutters to take back our city,” shares Lara who looks forward to expanding the KPCA’s reach and projects street by street.
Sources: Keep PMB Clean Action Group
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