The Spruit Day Clean Up, an annual event to clean up the Braamfontein Spruit, will take place on 16 September with the help of various community groups.
The spruit, which is the longest stream in Johannesburg, runs through Craighall Park, Parkhurst and Emmarentia among other suburbs.
The day is aimed at encouraging communities to take care of their environment as well as to raise awareness about the importance of keeping the stream clean. The clean-up is a coordinated effort by various residents’ associations and Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo to ensure the stream is cleaned up at various meeting points.
According to Meghan Perry, the chairwoman for the Spruit Day organising committee, 24 residents’ associations and special interest groups will be involved in the clean-up.
Perry said last year there was a wonderful turnout of more than 600 residents. She added that they were very hopeful that there would be even more involvement this year.
“A lot of the residents’ associations were involved last year and this year there has been even more involvement from residents’ associations. Last year there were only 15 residents’ associations and two special interest groups involved,” said Perry.
She said although there were no big sponsors involved in the day, refuse bags were donated to use on the day and the committee hopes to find sponsors for rubber gloves and additional funds for areas which may need extra care.
The clean-up will involve cleaning up litter, tree planting and removing alien vegetation. A few residents’ associations will also be adding bollards to prevent illegal dumping along the spruit.
Spruit Day will take place from 9am to 1pm and residents who would like to get involved in the clean-up can contact the residents’ association in their area to find their meeting point.
Tell us how you will be getting involved in the Spruit Day on WhatsApp 079 439 5345.