Paulshof Community comes together to make their spruits shine
The residents and community of the Paulshof area came together to celebrate World River Day with a Spruit Park cleanup, with several companies and revered guests in attendance.
Paulshof residents came together to participate in a cleanup event at Paulshof Spruit Park, celebrating World River and Clean Up Day.
Organised by Paulshof and Sunninghill residents, this initiative not only highlighted the importance of preserving local ecosystems but also fostered a sense of teamwork among those who call this vibrant neighborhood home.
Read more: Paulshof community comes together for Spruit clean-up effort
Chantal Nativel, one of the organisers of the event, explained the principal objective of World River & Clean Up Day in Paulshof extended to multi-faceted goals aimed at fostering participation from local community members.
“It highlights the significant degradation of our local spruits, encouraging active citizenry that paying rates doesn’t guarantee municipal or governmental action. If not us, who?”
World River Day, celebrated annually on the last Sunday of September, is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of rivers and the need to protect them.
Organisers took the opportunity to engage the Paulshof community in an impactful way, focusing on the health of the local river systems and the natural environment within the area.
“The cleanup efforts focus specifically on the last few hundred meters of the Braamfontein and Sand Spruits, along the Paulshof/Sunninghill border.”
The event kicked off early in the morning, with community members of all ages wearing gloves and armed with trash bags. Residents enthusiastically gathered at Paulshof Spruit Park, ready to roll up their sleeves and make a tangible difference.
The event provided a platform for entertaining yet educational participation for both adults and children, allowing them to grasp the pressing issues surrounding water safety in their community.
Scientists from the University of Johannesburg (UJ) professors Curtis and Kyle Van Heydealong, with representatives from the LoticLinks Foundation NPC, and KleenHealth’s Kyle Odgers, lent their expertise to the cause.
Also read: All Spruit Day sees community members in Paulshof get their hands dirty
Rawson Properties, Chilli Lane Shopping Centre, and Rivonia Riding Club sponsored the event. Local security companies such as FADT, SDS, and Savika Special Ops, ensured that volunteers were well-protected during the cleanup.
Participants worked diligently to collect litter and restore the natural beauty of the park, from discarded plastics to old debris.
“It’s incredible to see so many people come together for a common cause. These efforts reflect the values of our community and our commitment to preserving the natural beauty of Paulshof.”
The initiative also included water testing, using WaterCAN tests for E coli, and reinforcing the understanding of water safety.
The Paulshof Residents & Ratepayers Association (PRRA) support these efforts by contributing three garden workers monthly to assist in cleaning the same targeted areas.
Community members can lend a hand during the monthly Spruit Spritz cleanups, by contacting Chantal Nativel at chantalnativel@gmail.com or 083 616 0219.
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Related article: VOX POP: Why is it important to keep the Braamfontein Spruit clean?
