As of mid-April, Batavia Special Needs school’s 90 m wall shines with its fresh coat of Heritage Green-coloured paint in Hamilton Road, Claremont, blending in beautifully with the trees behind it, neatly restored.
The school has a long boundary wall facing the street that, over the years, was not representative of the precious activity contained inside, no thanks to old paint that was flaking off.
Inspired by Belvedere East Civic Association’s (Beca) efforts to do multiple upgrades in local parks, as they did at the Choo Choo Park and Laurier Park and other green stretches in the area, Batavia School Estate Manager Terence Petersen thought it fitting to give the Batavia Wall in Hamilton a makeover.
In order to support this, Max Schablitzky from Beca Parks made contact with the Buco supplier in Claremont, also situated in Hamilton Road, just a few metres away from the Batavia wall.
“Buco’s Store Manager Ferdie Williams was happy to team up and support the idea of getting the wall upgraded. He arranged three buckets of paint to be sponsored by his supplier, valued at over R3 000,” Schablitzky shared.
The civic association also offered helping hands to paint.
Williams, as well as inward logistics manager John Keller and Buco employee Yamkela Buyambo came and helped paint the wall.
Taheera Shaboodien, Beca chair, and Beca Parks member Max Schablitzky joined Petersen.
Schablitzky thanked the many residents who also helped out with painting, “including a 20-month-old boy and a 12-year-old girl. All generations were working together to get this done”.
This wholesome beautification collaboration was recognised for its great team effort and stands recognised as “a great community working together hand in hand”, he concluded.
