Child declares gratitude for clean-up drive

KLIPRIVIER DRIVE – Taking care of the community along with business and tourism interests took a new form on November 8. A team of Southerners joined hands to build awareness on the importance of keeping the gateway sparkling clean.

SOJO, Thaba Eco Hotel, City of Johannesburg and Aspen Nature Estates undertook to launch the major clean-up initiative on Kliprivier Drive. The aim was addressing challenges on the gateway between Turf Club Street and Rifle Range Road.

“The aim today is basically to clean a part of Kliprivier Drive as the first phase. We would like to involve the community to become part of the clean-up so they can take responsibility and accountability for their area,” said SOJO CEO Nicky Vakaloudis.

A number of adults and teenagers in Bellavista, where the clean-up started, first opted to watch at their balconies as others cleaned up their area. However, a young boy upon seeing the action came out and asked Nicky Vakaloudis what he could do to help.

With a big smile Vakaloudis directed the boy to where he could get a refuse bag and start picking up the terrible litter dumped everywhere. The rubbish covered a large part of the flats he calls home and where he stays with his mother and alleged drug addict sister.

CHRONICLE reporter asked him what made him decide to help out with the tidying up. He simply said that he was grateful for what was taking place and that a lot more needed to be done in order to eradicate dumping and drug activity in his area.

“I’m here to help because in this community many people are on drugs and we need to make this a better place for children to run and play. Not only that, but because not many people care to clean, they just throw their rubbish here,” said the youngster, who appeared to be emotional.

Thaba Eco Hotel CEO Reuben Louw said the morning of November 8 was exciting for him and his team managed by Malcolm Vermeulen.

“We want to challenge all our communities out there, everyone in Johannesburg, to do the same. Instead of fighting with council and being upset by things happening around you, just get involved,” said Louw. “What we’re trying to establish is to get to a point where the communities will be the watchdogs of their streets and their areas. When somebody comes here and they want to dump again, the people living here will say ‘This is our area’.”

Nicky Vakaloudis continued to explain their objectives for the project, saying: “Part of the process we’re going to roll out is to remove illegal signage on the walls. We have given the advertiser an opportunity to remove it themselves, failing which they will be summoned and we will remove the signage with the community using paint sponsored by businesses at a later stage.”

Vakaloudis also noted that SOJO’s partnership with the City of Johannesburg and its departments such as Pikitup, Environmental Health, JMPD and law enforcement has been amazing. He also said the council’s participation in putting out an awareness message to the community and business encouraging them to take part has been effective.

Gordon Smith (80) owner of Kliprivier Tree Farm in Eikenhof and his workers were first on the scene and started working almost immediately. The 80-year-old was also keen on the project as he usually works with Aspen Estates.

The City of Johannesburg’s aim for participating was to ensure that in all community-based projects and the community members in those areas would form a big part of the initiatives and that the departments continue to have such projects going forward.

https://www.citizen.co.za/comaro-chronicle/63041/video-kliprivier-drive-clean-awareness-campaign/