Update: Residents embark on a campaign to clean up Braamfontein Spruit and Sandspruit River
SUNNINGHILL – Residents came out in their numbers and defied the threats of raging waters from both rivers following heavy rains on the night before the clean-up day.
*NOTE: This story has been updated with the names of all of the companies and organisations that lent a helping hand to the cleanup efforts.
The residents of Paulshof and Sunninghill rolled up their sleeves once again to clean up a confluence of Braamfontein Spruit and Sandspruit River on 28 November.
Residents, who were joined by staff members from different emergency and security companies operating in the area, came out in their numbers, defying the threats of raging waters from both rivers following heavy rains on the night before the clean-up day. Local conservationist and community activist, Chantal Nativel, praised community members for volunteering their time and resources to make the cleaning campaign a success in the past few months.
Nativel said this initiative had gained support from residents and organisations of Sunninghill and Paulshof communities. She added they were very grateful to those who heeded the call in the past few months and lent a helping hand to keep the rivers clean. She added that their efforts would have positive results to water species in these two rivers.
Nativel also thanked the companies that provided security services in the area for their continued support to the initiative which was aimed at saving rivers, and she urged other community members to join them in their efforts.
She said they were appealing to every community member from the two neighbourhoods to join them. She added the next generations will not have rivers if nothing is done now.
She also urged community members to refrain from illegal dumping and littering.
Nativel extended thanks to the following companies and organisations:
- Security: National Security, Fidelity ADT (FADT)/ 7 Arrows Security, Securrezza and ARES Protection
- Emergency services: Netcare 911 and ER24
- Plastic bags provided by: City Parks and SA Plastics
- Support: Paulshof Residents and Ratepayers Association (PRRA) and Action for Responsible Management of Our Rivers (ARMOUR).
