On 22 February, Philippa Jane Robinson and Natalie Zimmelman rallied family, friends and neighbours to help clean up the spruit. The small group started at 6am, and got down and dirty armed with refuse bags and wearing gumboots and gloves.
The Spruit Clean-Up was the first of the year and Zimmelman said she believed people in the community could all help keep the spruit clean.
When Zimmelman joined the Parkhurst Village Residents and Business Owners Association in 2013, she took over the environmental portfolio.
“We are very aware that the resources available to the City of Johannesburg to perform its many functions are extremely limited and that communities need to help in areas where they can,” she said.
“Many people in Parkhurst are walkers and cyclists, and others are dog-lovers who can often be seen using various parks and other green area of Parkhurst.
“The Spruit is a key part of this potential network, but is, alas, often poorly maintained and cleaned.
“As a suburb, we do not yet have the resources to do any large-scale maintenance including grass cutting, structural improvements or the like, but we do have enthusiastic people and a good spirit.”
As a result, she arranged the first-ever Spruit Clean-Up in 2013 when a small group of volunteers got together and cleaned a small area in one morning.
“Rains bring down more rubbish and litter within the area – this is an ongoing issue and thus the spruit will always need cleaning,”she said.
The eager Zimmelman said the initiative is expected to continue once every month but probably less often in winter.
“Not only do we help keep our favourite areas clean, but we also generate awareness of environmental issues and create a sense of community as we work together and feel good about a good morning’s effort,” she said.
“I believe we shall continue to grow the participation and support in the neighbourhood and be able to maintain the momentum.”
Zimmelman is working to create a joint clean-up effort with other residents along the spruit on a common day which she hopes will become a popular event.
If you are interested in participating in the next clean-up event you can contact Zimmelman.
Details: Natalie Zimmelman on nataliez@saica.co.za
