Clean-up initiative embraced by community

Joburg North residents came together to give the Braamfontein Spruit a much-needed spruce-up on 7 June.

Natalie Zimmelman’s efforts to rally up family, friends and neighbours proved successful as hundreds of people pitched up at their designated meeting spots on the morning.

When Zimmelman joined the Parkhurst Village Residents and Business Owners Association in 2013, she took over the environmental portfolio and immediately decided there was a need for the community to play a role in keeping the spruit clean.

Zimmelman planned Parkhurst’s first spruit clean-up of the year in February; what began as a clean up initiative of a small section of the spruit has grown into a project where all surrounding communities are now taking responsibility for the spruit and their environment.

The morning winter chill did not deter community members as hundreds of children and adults arrived armed with vigour, gumboots, gloves and refuse bags.

Community member and one of the Spruit Day 2014 co-ordinators, Tarryn Munro, said she was excited and amazed by the outcome.

“Everyone who has showed up today has shown their commitment to keeping their part of the spruit clean and hopefully, this will generate awareness of environmental issues and create a sense of community as we work together,” she said.

“It’s amazing that even people passing by will pick up some litter on their way and this proves that people care.”

Parkhurst Primary School pupil, Andy Nkothe carried up a big bag of rubbish from the banks of the spruit and said he was happy to be helping out.

Activities on the day also included educational sessions from specialists on topics such as alien vegetation, erosion and pollution; competitions between suburbs and schools; and raffles and fundraising for future activities.

Various bodies including Joburg City Parks, the Joburg Zoo, Pikitup, the Miss Earth finalists and ambassadors, River Rangers, ADT, 7 Arrows and ER24 also participated on the day.

Delta Park Environmental Centre was the central hub for all the activities planned on Spruit Day, however, every residents’ association had its own meeting points.

Other participating areas included Craighall Park and Oerder Park (Jan Smuts Avenue to Old Parks), Craighall.

Did you attend the clean up? How was your experience?

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