Dale Johnson is involved in a number of initiatives for the betterment of the community. Not only he is one of the organisers and a regular participant of the #CleanBlueLagoon initiative, but he is also involved in raising funds for the Durban & Coast SPCA. He is the mascot, Dougal and helps raise funds through the annual fun run with residents like Alison Chadwick and the SPCA's Caroline Smith.
WHEN it comes to finding someone who embodies community spirit, one need not look further than Glenhills resident, Dale Johnson. The 46-year-old is one of the organisers of the #CleanBlueLagoon initiative, a monthly clean-up at the mouth of the uMngeni area. What’s more, he also fulfills the role of the Durban & Coast SPCA mascot, Dougal the dog and helps raise funds for the organisation. And if that wasn’t enough, the Riverside Harriers running club member takes part in the annual SPCA trail run wearing the costume. He is also involved in various road running events and is instantly recognisable in any race because of his red socks that he wears as part of the Red Sock Fridays campaign
Northglen News recently caught up with the altruist who is this month’s ‘Community Hero’. Johnson said he was never really the community spirit person as a youngster
“I grew up in the deep south of Johannesburg and I was well known by the street kids near some of the clubs because I used to buy boerie rolls from a local street vendor and hand them over to the children. But I never really had a sense of purpose or conviction. It’s only when I moved down to Durban that things began to change. Everyone in Durban does something, be it surfing, longboarding or cycling. The city and its people really inspired me to be part of something bigger. I had battled with alcohol addiction in my early adulthood and it wasn’t until I joined a local club, that I found a new addiction, road running.
Dale is an active runner and is part of the Riverside Harriers club.
“Initially it was a great way to keep fit and lose weight but I gravitated towards the social aspect of running. You meet so many awesome people and hear some amazing stories that you can’t help but be inspired. That’s why I decided on giving back with my running, besides supporting the red socks movement, I got involved with the SPCA to fundraise for their cause. Though I don’t have any pets, the SPCA does fantastic work for the local community and the country, and I feel like we need to support them as much as we can,” he said.
Johnson, dressed as Dougal has been involved in three of the trail runs, used to bark at runners as they made their last dash along the finish straight but decided that instead of chasing runners at the finish line, he would swap the paws of the costume for a pair of running shoes.
Johnson added running also made him hyper-aware of the problem of littering in the city.
“What struck me the most was the apathy most people showed when it came to the littering. Running through the streets, you tend to notice the rubbish more than when you are driving around. That’s why when it came to #CleanBlueLagoon, I joined in. The initiative was started by a mate of mine, Luc Quevauvilliers, and I was sick of the apathy regarding the rubbish around the Durban. I decided I had to do something about it rather than complain all the time,” he said.
“In just our first two clean-ups we collected more than two tons of rubbish. I understand the people feel it’s the City’s responsibility to clean but we need to play our part too. I would hate to see what the river mouth and beach would look like if we did not facilitate these clean-ups. We’ve grown so much since the first clean-up and we’ve been amazed by the support from the local community. We want to keep going and tackle the tributaries which flow into the uMngeni. Ultimately my goal is to have the Blue Lagoon area litter free by 2025 and it’s a goal I’m confident that can be reached.”
Knowing Dale Johnson
Name five words that best describe you: “I would say loud, fun, passionate, young at heart and determined.”
What do you think about when you’re alone in your car? “Chelsea Football Club, I’ve supported them since I was eight-years-old.”
What makes you angry? “Child abuse and pedophiles.”
Name one thing we don’t know about you: “I’m a recovering alcoholic, I’ve been sober for almost 14 years.”
What is your strongest family memory? “My mom’s 70th birthday. It’s the last time all the family were together with my mom before Parkinson’s disease set in.”
