Bonteheuwel was planned and built as a completely new town to alleviate housing shortages in coloured communities of Cape Town at a time when communities were being relocated in terms of the apartheid legislation.The development of Bonteheuwel is based on the new town approach to planning and layout. The effects of apartheid planning were felt and life is not easy for the residents of Bonteheuwel ,a poverty stricken ,crime ridden township near cape town. The No-messing in Bonteheuwel project started in 1999 to help clean up the area as it experienced major environmental problems such as littering and illegal dumping, which had a negative impact on the quality of life in the area. Looking at the situation change were needed.

It  started with a simple concept “making our area beautiful and doing my bit-how about you? ” and focused on community clean up campaigns. The Bonteheuwel Environment Forum consisting out of 7females ,1disabled and 1male was established to drive the project. The forum together with various role players developed a comprehensive Bonteheuwel Environmental Plan consisting out of 3prongs namely : cleaning, greening and educating component. Furthermore the project also helped to forge a close working relationship between the community ,community leaders and provincial and local government authorities.The project is a community driven environmental project which educates community members about environmental issues and also creating temporary employment and provided a higher quality of life for all residents.

The Project were so successful and achieved the following Awards in South Africa :

> 2002 Green Trust Awards Finalist Best Community Based  Environment Project.
> 2003 Caltex / Cape Times Award,Best Amateur,Individual or Group Award.
> 2004 Sowetan / SABC/ Old Mutual . Community Builder of the year.
> 2005  Convergence innovation & sustainability awards .Finalist category most in category :  Social.
> 2006 Fairest Cape / City of Cape Town 3rd place Best Environment Group : Cleanest City Competition. 
> 2007 The Cape Times Editor's Award , Best Environment Project.
> 2008 The National JET Community Awards for Best Waste Management & Reduction Group. 

 In 2009 the No Messing in Bonteheuwel project were classified as a International Best Practice for  community Environmental Citizenship.