Bluff pensioner, 78, aims to uplift community

FOR The Bluff pensioner, Catherine ‘Cay’ Loader, no job is to big or to small when it comes to uplifting her community.

Loader, 78, who has lived in the area for more than seven decades, said she got involved with doing community work from a young age.

ALSO READ: Gardening keeps great-grandmother flourishing

“I have always played an active role in trying to uplift the area and community by helping those in need. However, over the last couple of years, I have become more involved to try to fix things that I would see while driving in the area such as street signs, especially with warnings such as a sharp bend, that have fallen over. I often get help to pick it up and using my own tools, I would repair it.

“I always carry a roll of black bags, gloves, pliers and wire in my car. I also have a cutting tool, which I use to cut branches that are blocking signs or warning safety lights such as on Marine Drive.

I have fixed the fence around the reservoir as well.

“There are people eating and discarding their rubbish on the ground, which I will pick up. We also have the issue of refuse that is uncollected and the monkeys tear the bags open, which is a ghastly sight. I just try to do my bit where possible and encourage others to do the same,” she said.

ALSO READ: Clean-up operation tackles long-standing service delivery issues on The Bluff

Loader, who is the deputy secretary of The Bluff CPF Sub-Forum, said she also aims to eradicate bad activities in the area.

“We have people that loiter at street corners, some who consume alcohol and then just discard their bottles. I often approach them and tell them that they cannot do that in public. My goal is to restore The Bluff to the area I remember while growing up,” she said.

Loader said her message to residents is to be involved in their community.

“I am blessed to be able to make a difference in our community and always encourage our residents to play their part. It is also good to get to know your neighbours and work together.

“I encourage people to report those that break the law to the correct municipal departments, law enforcement, health authorities, ward councillor or the ratepayers association. Don’t just ignore it, be the change you want to see,” she said.

Loader was The Bluff Ratepayers and Residents Association’s hero of the month for July.

For more Southlands Sun news, follow us on Facebook or Twitter. You can also follow us on Instagram.