All Spruit Day sees community members in Paulshof get their hands dirty

A number of organisations were part of the Spruit Day clean-up in Paulshof to assist the community in maintaining the Paulshof section of the spruit.

September 21, 2022

Khomotso Makgabutlane 1 minute read

Christi Lawless carefully collects discarded glass shards during the World Clean-Up Day and All Spruit Day clean-up in Paulshof. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

Various communities that have the Braamfontein Spruit running through their areas gathered their tools, gloves and rubbish bags to do their part on September 17.

University of Johannesburg PhD student Kyle van Heyde collects water samples of the Braamfontein Spruit. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

The stream runs from Barnato Park High School toward the greater Kyalami area and residents removed litter, waste and dead tree branches from the spruit. Residents in and close to Paulshof Spruit Park also took part in the day’s activities.

Lesedi Mashaba and Tumelo Molutsi do their part to keep the Paulshof Spruit Park clean for Spruit Day. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

Part of the organising team of #SpruitsSpritz for the clean-up taking place in Paulshof, Chantal Nativel said there had been a great turnout from community members.
“We had several church members from an Apostle Church who came to the river to pray. When they heard we were cleaning up here, they came and registered to also assist in the clean-up,” she said.

Members of the local Apostle Church attend the World Clean-Up Day and All Spruit Day event in Paulshof. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

“The day itself has grown over the years. It used to be known as Braamfontein Spruit Day and is now known as Spruit Day, so that is also amazing to see. We have about 50 people here today, and the pile of bags keeps growing. Every little bit collected from the river helps.”

Elaine Cross fills her bag with collected and discarded waste at Paulshof Spruit Park. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

A number of bags collected by Paulshof community members for the World Clean-Up Day and All Spruit Day in Paulshof Spruit Park. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

Several environmental NPOs including Armour (Action for Responsible Management of Our Rivers), Outa’s WaterCAN (Community Action Network) for water testing, and many others joined in.
Nativel added there were several concerns about the Paulshof section of the spruit because over the years sewerage had flowed into it.

Locals get their feet wet to keep the Braamfontein Spruit clean of waste at Paulshof Spruit Park. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

University of Johannesburg PhD student Kyle van Heyde and Sarah Roffe from the Agricultural Research Council attend the Spruit Day clean-up in Paulshof Spruit Park. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

“This side of the river was in critical condition after testing had been done. It was nearly considered a dead river. There is a lot of sewerage that comes into the river, and some estates have put their plumbing into the river as well.

Given Mahlangu and Armour (Action for Responsible Management of Our Rivers) volunteer Helen Duigan remove a branch from the spruit in Paulshof. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

“When there is a build-up of the various items that get washed from the rains into storm water drains, it starts to erode our banks. We have vetiver grass we are testing here to hold our banks. The grass has deep roots and grows very high.”