Active Rivonia resident and environmentalist Dan Hunt has urged community members and businesses to take ownership of their area and contribute regularly to the clean-up of the Sandspruit and streets of Rivonia.
“I want Rivonia to become a looking glass of what the rest of South Africa can be like,” said Hunt, who has employed several men over the last 10 years to assist him with the upkeep of the picturesque Sandspruit.
However, after little buy-in from the community and local businesses, the financial upkeep of the project has become an impossible task for Hunt to fund on his own.
He recently had to let go of three men he employed to clean the streets of Rivonia Road and taxi ranks nearby as he could not afford to continue funding the project on his own.
Photo: Sarah Koning
Over the past 10 years he has worked tirelessly to clean up the Sandspruit from Kelvin Drive northwards, removing alien vegetation and litter. He has planted hundreds of indigenous trees, put up benches and built bridges for the enjoyment of residents of the area.
Vice chairperson of the Ullmann Park Conservation, Syd Land has been spurred on by Hunt’s efforts to clean up the area near his residence. “The community needs to show pride in their suburb and stop complaining and waiting for someone else to do something,” said Land.
Photo: Sarah Koning
Alex Parkins of Friends of Sandspruit said of Hunt, “It is so sad that someone who has invested so much time, effort and money, someone who has selflessly helped to create employment, is not unable to continue due to lack of interest from local businesses and residents. I don’t believe they will realise what they will be losing until it’s too late.”
Moses Khwene is one of the many people who has benefited from the employment of Hunt and found joy in maintaining the Sandspruit. “I’ve got a passion for cleaning the river and keeping the environment clean, not only for my benefit but to help the community,” said Khwene.
Hunt suggested that the maintenance of the spruit not only provides aesthetic beauty for the suburb, but protects the value of property in the area.
“In order to keep people coming to Rivonia to spend money and make use of the area, they must feel safe. The maintenance of this area protects the quality of life for residents,” said Hunt, who derives no profit from the upkeep of his suburb.
Hunt encouraged residents and businesses to contact him if they are able to contribute in any way to keep the neighbourhood and the Sandspruit at its best.
Photo: Sarah Koning
Details: 083 300 2339.
Residents and businesses urged to help keep Rivonia clean
