‘Unknown superhero’ cleaning Sasolburg and Vaalpark’s streets

By Gerda Heyman

SASOLBURG. – We all dream and talk about a better South Africa and better community, but what do we contribute towards our community and country other than our complaints and taxes?
Joggie de Beer (68), a partner at De Beer & Claassen Attorneys in Sasolburg since 1975, is taking action by actually making a difference in his community.
Since 2013, Joggie has committed himself to cleaning the streets of Vaalpark and Sasolburg and creating jobs for jobless day workers to keep the pavements and roads of the community neat and tidy. In 2016, Joggie decided to actively become part of the team of workers as he believes actions speak louder than words.
“Joggie has inspired us all at the office to become more involved and therefore we established the Vaal Roots Community Initiative,” says Raymano Venter, director of the DBC Group, a well-established, reputable law firm based in Sasolburg for the past 61 years.
The Vaal Roots Community Initiative is a non-profit and public benefit organisation supported by the Metsimoholo Local Municipality and offers a platform for local business and community members to get involved in their local communities. Joggie recently met with Sydney L Lempe, director of social services at the Metsimaholo Municipality, who said the municipality backs the Vaal Roots Community Initiative 100%.
The purpose of the first Vaal Roots Project, the “Keep Our Roads Clean Project”, is to maintain the community roads, create jobs for the local community, create a neat and well-groomed area, prevent potholes, avoid and reduce the risk of wildfires and assist the municipality in keeping the town neat.
Until now Joggie and the De Beer & Claassen Group funded the entire project, but the group is now calling on all local businesses and community members who are proud of their community and would like to make a positive difference in the Vaalpark and Sasolburg area, to become part of this initiative. People who are interested can visit the Vaal Roots Community Initiative Website www.vaalroots.com or contact them on (016) 976 0800 for more information.

About Joggie de Beer
He is 68 and has been a partner at De Beer & Claassen, a Sasolburg law firm since January 1975. He is married to Amelia and they have four children. His family is very proud of their town, Sasolburg. He still remembers the days when Sasolburg was often chosen as town of the year. He loves the town where he lives and works and wants to make a tangible difference in the lives of others.
Photo Captions:
Joggie de Beer (left) and Sydney L Lempe (right), director of social services at the Metsimaholo Municipality shake hands on the municipality’s commitment to support the project.
Joggie de Beer and his Sasolburg Road Cleaning Project Team