By Nangamso Mabindla
6 September 2004

BUFFALO City and car manufacturer DaimlerChrysler took their long-standing partnership beyond business to caring when they celebrated Arbor Day with the planting of trees at the opening of Gately Stream Park on Friday, 3 September.

The Gately Stream Park - the first joint environmental project set up by Buffalo City and DCSA - is at the manufacturer's West Bank Plant.

DCSA's Deidré Freeman said the project started in August. "This was neglected land with alien vegetation dominant. We knew we needed to remove that and plant indigenous plants."

According to Freeman, they approached Luleka Simon, the city councillor responsible for sustainable development, and Shirley Fergus, manager for environment and sustainable development.

"When we approached them and told them about our vision they were excited - they joined us in this mammoth task," added Freeman.

However, for the R80 000 project to be a success, the two partners needed outside help, which was provided by construction company PM Booysen, Osmond Lange Architects, the West Bank High School, the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry and other private companies.

"With their help we worked miracles. This park was in dire straights but because of the commitment from all of our partners, we were able to open it today," said Freeman.

Buffalo City Mayor Sindisile Maclean said he was excited about the project and also the involvement of the City.

"It shows that we and our partners are committed to creating a healthy environment for our people. With partners like Daimler we will definitely make sure that our city is environmentally friendly," he said.

DCSA's divisional manager Niels Anderson said that the company had shown that it was not isolated from the communities.

"We always want to make a difference in the lives of the people living in the city; but we're also committed in improving the environment they're live in," he said.

The company also wanted to contribute to improving the socio-economic development of communities in order to improve their quality of life and planned to focus on arts and crafts and tourism.

"We really are committed to environmental responsibility," he said.

The project is still in its first phase with a bridge over Gately Stream already in place and the removal of alien vegetation like Lantana camara and Cestrum laevigatum (inkberry).

The second phase would see the planting of more indigenous plants like Apodytes dimidiata (white pear), Bauhinia galpinii (Pride-of-de-Kaap) and Cussonia spicata (cabbage tree).

"We're going to make this an environmentally friendly park. Thanks to Bufflalo City and all our partners for making this a reality," Freeman said.