Community members behind a newly launched Klopperpark cleaning initiative said a few heartbreaking setbacks will not stop them.
Through the initiative, residents in selected streets donate money to have their streets cleaned.
Spearheading the initiative are Glenda Noel, Jenny Moss and Mack Mahlakwana and the results have been several clean streets in the area.
“Residents donate towards the cleaning out of their own pockets and Jenny and Mack clear the streets and remove the refuse and rubble collected,” Glenda said.
She added that the aim was for residents to start feeling a sense of pride for their suburb.
Recently, however, the initiative suffered a setback, which the trio described as heartbreaking.
“Mack and I had spent an entire day cleaning a section of Avongloed Street at the intersection of Kruin Street and it was getting late so we decided to leave the garden refuse bags for collection the following morning,” Jenny told the NEWS.
When they arrived at the site the following morning, all of the bags had been emptied and the refuse was dumped in the field again.
Jenny confirmed that the bags, which the community had bought, were stolen.
She, Glenda and Mack said that despite the setback, their clean-up campaign would not stop.
“In Saffier Street, we found dead dogs and cats in the rubble,” Jenny said.
She added that the Avongloed clean-up was not without its challenges.
“We could hear rats running through the dumped refuse as we cleaned.”
Residents who feel that their street needs a clean-up may contact Glenda to get the ball rolling.
“Residents are urged to not dump their refuse along the streets and in the field but to rather make use of wheelie bins provided by the City,” Glenda said.
Glenda may be reached on 082 305 3592.
