Edenvale resident hopes to create a greener town

“I would get tired of the problems community members would bring me and nature would often give me hope.”

February 5, 2021

Stephan Lehman 1 minute read

As Derek Thompson's love for nature grew so did his interest in it, he recently started documenting birdlife in Protea Park and across Edenvale. Seen here is a bird with its chicks in Protea Park which he documented.

Wanting a better community is something every resident wants no matter where they live but Seventh Avenue resident Derek Thompson hopes this dream can become a reality.

Derek and his 10-year-old-daughter, Kwenza, hope to create an environmentally friendly area where community members can enjoy nature, birdlife and nature in Edenvale.

They hope to create a green passage where animals would be protected and the environment maintained and community members could be at one with nature.

The area Derek has in mind lies between Van Riebeeck and First avenues and extends into Protea Park.
Derek believes creating the area would be possible with the help of the community and like-minded individuals.
He said after living in the town for 17 years he witnessed how the town decayed and how the lack of service delivery impacted the town.

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He said his passion and interest in nature developed when he would visit the area between Van Riebeeck and First avenues to meditate and relax.

“I would get tired of the problems community members would bring me and nature would often give me hope.
“I want to show the beauty of nature to community members.”

Kwenza, the brainchild behind the project, said the idea came to her when she was walking along the river with her father and they realised the potential of the area. However, it was overgrown.

“I enjoy the beauty of nature. I would like to see a better environment created for all animals.
“Animals need to live in a safe environment so people should be considerate about what they throw away and where they throw things away.”

Derek explained that the unmaintained spruit is problematic for the area as it contributes to creating disasters like the floods of 2016.

As Derek’s love for nature grew so did his interest in it. He recently started documenting birdlife in Protea Park and across Edenvale.

Derek said he shares his photographs and videos with interested community members and tries to educate as many people about the birdlife.

To assist Derek in getting the project off the ground email him on jahseed1975@gmail.com