The FNB&V Community Cleaners were at again on February 20 when they conducted a clean-up of Still and Smits streets in Fairland. On the day, they cleaned up verges, picking up litter that had accumulated along these streets.
The group, whose acronym stands for Fairland, Northcliff, Berario, and Valeriedene, consists of volunteers who reside in the respective communities. They are currently in the process of registering as an NPO going by the name of Community Cleaners, as they gain momentum now consisting of 113 members.
According to André Swanepoel, one of the leaders of the group, they will go back to clean the route again come February 26, “Not only are the residents giving up their time and/or making a financial contribution but the group is also creating employment by hiring casual labour to assist with the efforts.”
He continued that one of their many successes has been the cleaning and transformation of the Fairland Koppie. The Fairland ‘Community in Blue Patrollers’, who is said to have previously been known as CPF Patrollers, are also doing their part.
“They have taken to invite residents on Saturdays and Sundays to bring their kids, dogs, family and friends to see for themselves how the koppie has been transformed. The next step is to get rid of invasive and alien plants and a separate group is already working on this.”
On March 6 they will return to some of our existing sites for a mop-up operation and we will be going to a new site, i.e. the park next to the Northcliff Country Club for litter clearing and verge maintenance.
For those wishing to get involved in this initiative or looking for guidance on how to start something similar in your area/suburb, please reach out to André Swanepoel on 084 321 3001 or Hugo Erasmus on 081 779 1605.
