The City of Joburg’s Region C was abuzz with tractors, trucks and chainsaws among other cleaning tools as employees from the Joburg Roads Agency, City Parks and other entities in collaboration with PRASA, Florida West CPF and Afriforum cleaned the once-beautiful and busy Florida Railway Station, which has been reduced to a shell of its former self.
“The vandalised and neglected Florida station is affecting us a lot as residents. Our children are not safe, our youth witness these drug lords and addicts exchanging money and drugs on a daily basis. Many of them are drug addicts.
“Our elders get mugged almost daily even in broad daylight. It is a hiding place for criminals during house break-ins. The value of houses here has dropped drastically. Townhouses here used to be of a very high standard but now we even have people smoking dagga inside the premises.
“I am all smiles to witness the cleaning happening today. It is giving us hope that the City is repairing our golden city and hands-on in turning things around to its former glory,” said local resident Jane Cassim on Tuesday, 27 September 2022.
The cleaning took the entire day, with mostly cutting and trimming thick trees that had formed bushes for criminals to hide and have been home for homeless people for a number of years.
Dudu Radebe from PRASA management showed great enthusiasm as she cleaned and prepared rubbish with her team for Pikitup to collect.
“We have started with the clean-ups of several stations, clearing platform premises in preparation for the coming lines to be redone for the trains and goods train to run again. This is the second time we visit Florida station, and it looks like we still need another round to ensure it is all clear. This station has been a serious eye sore, to say the least.
“We took this initiative as means to save our company from drowning whilst indirectly assisting our commuters to get back to trains again and save money they pay for commuting with taxis. We have hope in our current executives that the rail system can still be fixed to benefit train commuters,” said Radebe.
Councillor Caleb Finn of Ward 70 also assisted with cleaning materials and coordinating with entities. He has been a part of the committee for this campaign.The initiative was applauded by other residents around the area.
Written by Thembelihle Radebe
27/09/2022