During the rainstorm in March, the boardwalk in the wetland was washed away.
Stevi Glendinning, communications strategist of Gold One Group Limited, says their WHAM Forum had been engaging with the Grootvaly Blesbokspruit Reserve Trust to arrange educational school visits to the reserve, for several local schools, since the beginning of the year.
“We have been assisting with the transport and food costs for these visits and it was during one of our on-site meetings that we noticed the remains of the boardwalk had been washed away,” she says.
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“We are honoured to be able to help to ensure that it is accessible and enjoyable for all those who visit.”
Charl van der Merwe, chairman of the Blesbokspruit Conservation Trust, says that, in desperation, they called a local businessman, Morné Greyling, to look at the damages done to the boardwalk.
“Once we received the quotation, we approached Gold One for assistance and they generously agreed donate towards the repairs,” he says.
“Their involvement in community affairs and our environment doesn’t go unnoticed.”
The floating boardwalk was completely stripped and reconstructed with a synthetic wooden floor, as well as the drums.
Morné says the purpose of the material used was to try to keep the floating boardwalk as light as possible.
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There are two small structures on the boardwalk, that were covered with shade cloth to give shade to birdwatchers, photographers and visitors.
The entrance to the boardwalk was upgraded with rock edging and was repaved.
“The aim is to have a better perspective and view of the water, and educational improvement,” says Morné.
