Co-founder of the LitterBugs organisation Anne McLeman (42) recently said goodbye to Gauteng and hello to Cape Town.
Before leaving, she resided in Farrarmere, Benoni.
“I moved to Cape Town to be closer to my sister and the ocean,” she explained.
“I am not letting go of the Litterbug’s that easy and will be continuing the organisation in Blouberg where I stay now.
“I’m so proud of the parks and streets we cleaned in our neighbourhood and town. It has made a difference to us and the people using those spaces for recreation.
“Even one person just cleaning their pavement outside their own home is making a difference to their own family and neighbours around them.”
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McLeman says she is sad to leave such a dedicated and positive group of like-minded people, doing their bit to make a difference in the world.
“I will miss Benoni and all the friends and connections I’ve made over the years very much,” she said.
“Thank you to every one of our Litterbug crew, for all the smiles and fun we have had over the years.
“Just know you have a partner in ‘grime’ now in the Western Cape to look up when you visit.”
The Litterbugs organisation was started by Anne McLeman and Samantha Choles, a Farrarmere resident.
Choles says the reason they started the group was that they were tired of driving or walking past litter in their neighbourhood.
“In about 2014, as neighbours, Anne and I got together to spend 67 minutes on Mandela Day to clean around a few blocks,” said Choles.
“We must have collected 20 bags of litter in the 2km we covered. We then made it a regular thing, and opened it up to others to help.”
There is also a group of people in Vanderbijlpark that found inspiration to do something similar.
“And now! Anne is starting a branch in Cape Town,” said Choles excitedly.
“We have a dedicated group from Ashton International College assisting us monthly as well.”
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Choles explained that it does get disheartening sometimes to see people throw rubbish on the ground without so much as a second thought for what happens to it or how long it will lie there.
“My message to other people is to clean up around your home and be mindful of what you do with your rubbish,” suggested Choles.
“Start your own little groups on days and times that suit you. Littering and dumping do not create jobs for people.
“It’s just a waste of valuable resources that could be used elsewhere.”
Choles said the team will miss Anne very much but wishes her all the best in her new venture.
For more information, follow @LitterbugsBenoni on Facebook.
