From filling pot-holes, to repainting playgrounds, fixing roadsigns, tree-felling, gardening and general maintenance… the community of Senekal is rallying together to restore themselves, and their small town.
Senekal, South Africa (14 February 2021) – In October 2020 a small town situated on the banks of the Sand River in the eastern part of the Free State province was thrown into chaos but just 4 months later, and the Senekal community is restoring the cracks in their community by restoring the broken parts of their small town.
On the 6th of October 2020, agricultural leaders and community members protested outside the Senekal Magistrate Court, as the trial of Mahlamba and Matlaletsa, the accused killers of farm manager Brendin Horner, commenced. Protesters stormed the court and a police car was turned over and allegedly set on fire.
Gunshots were fired (according to eye-witnesses by the police), stun grenades were set off, court property was destroyed and a police vehicle overturned and set alight. Apparently, the community believe that the crime in South Africa is out of control, and the government is not doing enough to protect us.
Various groups and public figures, including Police Minister Bheki Cele, Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola, Free State Premier Sisi Ntombela and the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union, condemned the occurrences. Their next court appearance of 16 October was once again accompanied by demonstrations from different groups outside the court building.
But that ordeal feels like a lifetime ago and Senekal is rallying together to restore the cracks in their community by restoring the broken parts of their small town.
The restoration project was created by the community and totally reliant on volunteers to get the job done!
Check out some of the amazing photos here:
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