Young blood to lead new NPO branch
"Our main goal is a cleaner, safer Toti for all residents."
The civil rights organisation, AfriForum established a new branch in Toti on Thursday, 31 July with Marijke Pieterse elected as chairman.
This brings the number of AfriForum branches across the country to 130.
The other management members are Willie Beetge (vice-chairman), Pieter van de Spuy (treasurer), Johan Koen, Steve Olivier, Hennie Cronje and Quinton Jacobs.
“The local branch structures of AfriForum are aimed at filling the gap between government and law-abiding citizens and to ensure that the constitutional rights of taxpayers are protected under the AfriForum brand,” said provincial co-ordinator for AfriForum in KZN, Chris Fourie.
“AfriForum is a ‘do organisation’ and not a ‘lip service organisation’. With the support of Toti residents, we can also start making a difference. The Toti branch will serve communities up to Clansthal in the south.”
According to Marijke (24), she is geared for the challenge. “I was very surprised to be elected as chairman and felt honoured. It makes me proud to be trusted with the responsibility of leading a team of individuals who are driven to make a difference in their community. I am looking forward to achieve visible results with the campaigns we will drive,” she said.
She was born in Secunda and moved to Toti in January.
She was a member of the management team at the AfriForum Jeug Tukkies branch while studying at the University Pretoria.
“I was responsible for driving projects and outreaches.
I think there are a number of issues in Toti that need to be addressed that’s why Toti needs a branch.
Safety and crime is a major concern. Other issues such as the environment and supporting Afrikaans schools is also very important to me. AfriForum gives us the power to address these issues in a positive way. I will focus on cleaning up the environment and conserving our rivers during my term. At the moment we are focusing on the bird sanctuary in particular.
We will also focus our attention on crime in Toti and will force the police to co-operate if we have to. Our main goal is a cleaner, safer Toti for all residents.
Too often we’re quick to pass responsibility to someone else instead of taking it upon ourselves to make change happen. AfriForum acts as a platform and a support system for people to address issues that concern them.
Through AfriForum’s legal team and the support we get from our provincial co-ordinator and head office, we have the power to change the things that the authorities seem to overlook.”Join the Toti branch by SMSing ‘Amanzimtoti’ to 45267 at a cost of R1 per SMS.
