Working To Restore White River's Water

The Power of 8000, a community action group, came into being when a number of local residents who were increasing dismayed by the deterioration of the town, decided to take action.

For founder, Pierre du Preez, it was the potholes that were his point of ignition. For Chairman, Rhodes Abell, the state of the verges, and the danger posed by long grass on driving visibly was his. Other issues such as litter, illegal dumping, unkempt streets, rampant invasive alien plants were also becoming serious problems in the town, and urgently needed to be addressed.

Pierre, an estate agent, estimated that there are approximately 8000 ratepayers, both business and residential, in White River. ‘Imagine the power and resources that could be harnessed by uniting these 8000 ratepayers’, says Pierre du Preez. That is how the name came about, because together 8000 voices have the power to hold the powers that be accountable and liable for their actions.

Initial activities were informal, with residents informing each other of small projects such as cleaning the verges and area around the Parkville centre. Then, once Pierre and Rhodes had joined forces, they decided to tackle a flagship project – the Ronnie Bester Park. Together they mobilised over R50 000 worth or resources – labour, machines, vehicles. The project took months of work.

At this point, it was becoming clear that the TPO8000 needed some formal leadership and committee was formed with Rhodes as Chair, and Pierre as Deputy Chair. The agreed vision of TPO8000 is to:
• do what it takes to make White River a clean, tidy, functional world class town;
• tackle issues and activities that are clearly identifiable, achievable and sustainable
• become an engaged, successful, relevant role player in our town;
• engage with and encourage our municipality to enable them to improve service levels to meet our objectives;
• support the WRRA and encourage residents to become members, and
• facilitate community action to rejuvenate our town, and to maintain it once it is revitalised.

White River resident's demand a safe town for our children, our elderly and our tourists. To this end, TPO8000 will insist on and work towards the maintenance of our town's sewerage systems, drinking water systems, electricity systems, refuse removal operations, parks, pavements and islands, traffic signs and robots, and road surfaces.

The simple strategy adopted is Identify, Achieve, Sustain. This means that TPO800 identifies key priorities that need to be tackled in town, initiates actions to tackle the problem, then identifies and implements strategies to maintain the restored area. This includes working closely with the City of Mbombela and local businesses and residents. An example is the entrance to White River which has been restored. The magnificent row of palm trees and adjacent service road was overgrown and littered. Working with volunteers and the CoM Parks Department, these have been cleaned up. Local businesses on Palm Street have been approached to help maintain the verge opposite their premises, and the response has been extremely positive.