IN PICTURES: ‘We miss Happy Valley’ — Gqeberha residents refuse to let the magic die

Families, volunteers, and former regulars of Happy Valley returned to the neglected beachfront park in Gqeberha on Saturday, determined to reclaim a place filled with cherished childhood memories and keep its magic alive. Organized by the Port Elizabeth Hotel Group as part of Tourism Month and World Coastal Cleanup Day, the second community clean-up drew a diverse group of participants eager to help restore the park.

Nelson Mandela Bay's Happy Valley, stretching from Humewood Beach towards the former Telkom Park, was once renowned for its fairytale and nursery-rhyme installations, as well as illuminated walkways that drew families to the beachfront. The park's carefree atmosphere attracted children who played, ran around, and actively participated in the cleanup efforts.

Tiffany Naidoo, representing the Port Elizabeth Hotel Group, expressed her delight with the event, stating that it was a "huge success and a true reflection of the passion our community has for Gqeberha." She added that it was "heartening to see families out in full force, especially the kids running around and actively helping with the clean-up."

Despite the significant progress made, Naidoo emphasized that there was still much work ahead and called on the public for assistance with heavy lifting and clearing debris. Chanté Botha, who spent hours in Happy Valley as a child, joined the clean-up effort to enable her child to experience the same joy she did. Vanessa Marx, an organizer, recounted her own childhood visits and expressed her desire to see the park return to its former beauty, complete with lights and the beloved penguin displays.

Tammy Southby, a content creator, highlighted the importance of the clean-up beyond merely removing rubbish. She noted that the event offered an opportunity for people to enjoy the valley safely again and remembered visiting the park with her late grandmother, capturing photographs at the penguin displays. Alex Govender, a content creator, praised the hotel group for rallying residents to the cause but questioned why ratepayers had to step in to perform work that should have been carried out by the municipality.

Fayrous Isaac and Thembi Ezegwu echoed similar sentiments, describing Happy Valley as a "childhood fantasy land" and expressing disappointment in the park's current state, citing dirty water in streams and an overall sense of neglect.