River clean-up patrol hopes to grow
Swartz hopes to grow his project and help the community.
Rennie Swartz (42) is part of a team of 25 community members who have been cleaning the Blesbokspruit for the last five years.
“We try to clean the Blesbokspruit every day because we love nature and want to keep our community clean,” said Swartz.
“But it’s hard for my team because we can’t really afford to pay them, so for the most part most of the team only help once a week.”
Most of the team’s work includes taking litter and other dumped rubbish out of the river and removing fallen trees or branches, which sometimes block the river’s flow.
Swartz hopes to gain a few sponsors to help him and his team in their cleaning project.
“I spend some of my own money on food for my team and give them what I can, but it’s not much,” he added.
“I would like to grow this project by planting food and opening soup kitchens in Nigel and Heidelberg.
“But to do that we will need some sponsors and help from the community, as well as help to register our project.”
Swartz wants to gain the community’s support by hosting a marathon to finance the project.
“My message to the community is to not dump illegally and not cut down trees illegally because it harms our beautiful environment,” Swartz said.
For more information, contact Swartz on 071 996 5317.
