A Pietermaritzburg mother-and-daughter team who grew tired of seeing their suburb become overgrown and neglected took it upon themselves to transform public spaces into colourful, welcoming places for the whole community.
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa (01 September 2026) – In a world where it is easy to complain about who should keep a community clean and in good condition, one mother-and-daughter duo has rolled up their sleeves and taken ownership of their own little corner of Pietermaritzburg instead of waiting for someone else to step in.
Lee-Anne and Lynne van Rooyen have transformed the Zwartkop Road islands and the embankment along the railway line in the area by planting golden Red Hot Pokers and beautiful aloes, bringing colour to the path up Zwartkop Road in winter.
According to Lara Edmonds, Executive Director of the Keep PMB Clean Action Group (KPCA Group), the pair had long admired active citizens like Glenn McArthur and eventually grew tired of seeing their suburb become overgrown and unkempt.
The area below the railway line had become a particular concern because it was overgrown and posed a security risk, while the entrance to Celtis Road had also become an eyesore.
“The first island had no plants, so I looked at my garden and Lynne’s to thin out agapanthus, red hot pokers, succulents and anything else that was overgrown. We then planted the islands with these cuttings and donations,” Lee-Anne said.
Lee-Anne also employed Mandla full-time to help her and fellow resident Jeannie Strauss, who wanted someone to pick up litter once a week on Mbubu Road from Linpark to the Police Station. She added that her gardener, Zungu, and Lynne Strydom’s gardener, Phillip, also join the team when needed.
When Lee-Anne and Lynne realised the gardens needed protection in the busy urban area, they asked the municipality to assist with barriers on the corner of Zwartkop and Mbubu Road.
“When their request for assistance was not met, they came up with a plan and used painted half tyres to cleverly protect the gardens,” Lara explained.
Inspired by the efforts of these community changemakers, the KPCA presented them with the Sweet Spot Nomination, part of an initiative that recognises and rewards citizens, businesses and schools that voluntarily clean, plant and maintain public spaces or neglected street verges.
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KPCA GROUP and its partners call for public entries and nominations for beautiful public spaces and spotless verges (sweet spots). This quarterly/seasonal competition seeks to honour and reward residents, businesses, schools and organisations who are making an effort to maintain and beautify traditional public spaces like street verges.
For more information on nominations and entries, email Campaign Manager, Lara Edmonds, at [email protected].
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