I RECENTLY returned from a visit to the city of Jena in the former East Germany. It is a city that reminded me very much of Paarl, nestled in a valley at the foot of a low mountain covered in forest and with a river (the Saale) running through the city.
On the banks of the river is also, as in the case of our Arboretum, a park called “Das Paradies” (paradise). The park and forest can truly be called a paradise for walkers and runners.
Each morning and sometimes in the late afternoon I went running, either in the forest or in the park as did many others, even women on their own. On no occasion did I feel insecure.
I also bragged to my host family that we too have in Paarl such a beautiful mountain and park where we too can go for runs and walks. I even gave them a book on Paarl to prove my point.
Alas, back home in Paarl I had to read in the Paarl Post of the two dastardly incidents that recently happened once again in our beloved Arboretum and on the bank of the river.
Action needs to be taken to re- store the Arboretum to being the jewel of Paarl for the benefit of the citizens of Paarl and for visitors to our town.
If our local authorities are either not interested or not able to do anything, then let the citizens of Paarl take action.
In Germany they have a wonderful and very effective institution to get things done called “Bürger Initiative” (citizens initiative actions). For instance, it was largely due to a “Bürger Initiativ” that the historic city centre of the city of Erfurt was restored to its former glory. We can take a cue from that.
As a first step in that direction, I would suggest that a “Friends of the Arboretum Association” be established which could elect a committee which in turn could devise a plan of action.
Anyone interested in forming a “Friends of the Arboretum Asssociation” can contact me on 021-863-2222 or theoaks@mweb.co.za.
Uwe Strack
