Before there was TidyNMB, there was #TidyKraggaKammaRoad — a bold, local movement that showed what’s possible when a community comes together. It began with a stretch of road, a vision, and a shared frustration with decline. Led by Gqeberha’s Dr Johann Malherbe and supported by the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, the project focused on reclaiming Kragga Kamma Road from neglect. What followed was transformative: a once overgrown, potholed, and overlooked 5km section — from Cape Road to Welcome Avenue — became cleaner, safer, and more welcoming to all who use it. This grassroots success planted the seeds for something bigger.

TidyNMB (Tidy Nelson Mandela Bay) was born from that same spirit — but with broader ambition. At its core, the initiative is about more than cutting grass or fixing potholes. It’s about restoring pride. About reminding communities that tidy streets reflect tidy values: care, dignity, and unity. It’s about small, visible wins that build momentum. And it’s about people — like Sancho Maranti, a young man who went from leading a church choir in Walmer Township to becoming the face of the campaign. His story is one of hope, and of what happens when we invest in people, not just infrastructure.

Every green wheelie bin bearing the TidyNMB logo is more than just a functional object — it’s a mobile billboard of change. With its bright green colour and bold branding, the bin becomes a symbol of participation, pride, and ownership. Backed by local sponsorships and public-private collaboration, this visibility multiplies. Each street touched by TidyNMB becomes a statement of what we can achieve, together. This is not a protest. This is partnership. TidyNMB supports the city’s official efforts, aligns with the Chamber’s action-first strategy, and delivers tangible improvements in real-time. It’s about clean streets, real jobs, and shared pride — and it’s already working.