KNYSNA NEWS - The wishes of the late Knysna Ward 8 councillor Victor Molosi were respected and another local hero's contributions to society celebrated when current Ward 8 councillor Thando Matika in partnership with PR councillor Aubrey Tsengwa and Knysna Municipality declared the Dolores McCallum Play Park in Concordia open last week.
The park, which was officially opened on Wednesday 6 March, is named after the late Mccallum who used to be a community work programme (CWP) supervisor before her passing in December 2017.
According to Matika, who used to be Molosi's right-hand man, Molosi had hoped to name the park after "Mama D", as she was fondly known, to honour her for her contribution to always keeping the park clean. Matika said naming the park after McCallum was to pay homage to their very own heroes and is their way of saying thank you.
Some of the children from Ward 8 during the official launch of the Dolores McCallum Play Park on Wednesday 6 March. Photos: Nwabisa Pondoyi
The McCallum family was present and as soon as they unveiled the name of the park, a visibly emotional Kaylee Britz, one of Mama D's daughters, fought back the tears as her ''fondest memories of her mother'' came flooding in. "I remember how much she loved the children and how much she loved keeping the park clean and all the amazing stuff she did when no one was looking. I am so proud of her," Britz said.
Husband Desmond McCallum also expressed how proud he is of his late wife: "She would go out of her way to make people happy and to lend a hand. I was husband to an amazing woman and who is amazing beyond the grave."
The opening of the Dolores McCallum Play Park was a combined effort by Ward 8 councillor Thando Matika (left) and PR councillor Aubrey Tsengwa.
Mama D's son Lincon McCalllum and daughter Kimberly Botha were also present during the opening ceremony.
Matika encouraged the community to take ownership of the play park and to protect it.
The park is open on weekdays from 14:00 to 18:00 and from 10:00 to 18:00 over weekends.
As soon as the gate was opened, some of the children in the area went straight for the swings.
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