The latest Paulshof clean-up, on September 26, marked SpruitSpritz’s sixth birthday, combining four occasions: World Clean-up Day, Heritage Day, World Rivers Day and the initiative’s anniversary.

Among those joining the latest SpruitSpritz clean-up was resident Leanne Williams, who volunteered for the first time after moving to the area about a year ago. Williams said regular walks with her dog had made her appreciate the area and motivated her to get involved. “I moved here about a year ago, and I walk my dog. I love going on afternoon walks, so I just love the environment,” she said.

Read more: Community members clean up Rietfontein Nature Reserve

For Williams, seeing litter in an otherwise peaceful, natural space made volunteering an easy decision. “I’m just pleased to be part of this and actually to get out and look after the country that we’ve got. It should be a natural thing. It should be instilled in us that we don’t litter, because we have got a beautiful country,” Williams said.

She said the green space is used by dog walkers, birdlife and residents looking for somewhere peaceful to spend time outdoors. “If it was just kept beautifully up, I think more people would enjoy it,” she said.

The clean-up forms part of SpruitSpritz’s ongoing efforts to protect Paulshof’s waterways and green spaces, an initiative that has now been running for six years. Organiser Chantal Nativel said her involvement began with something as simple as picking up litter while walking her dog. “When we started this six years ago, what motivated me was the filth,” Nativel said.

She began collecting as much rubbish as she could carry during her daily walks before her interest in water pollution developed further while completing a master’s degree at Wits University. Her studies included research into water and pollution, while a scientific mission to the Caribbean exposed her to international research into plastic and microplastic pollution in the ocean.

Also read: Large-scale Sunninghill clean-up drive successful

After completing her studies, the Covid-19 pandemic temporarily stopped community gatherings. Once gatherings were permitted again, Nativel organised a clean-up for World Rivers Day. She subsequently discovered that the Paulshof Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association (PRRA) was organising another clean-up, prompting the groups to work together.

What began as an annual initiative developed into monthly clean-ups, which have continued for six years.

Ward 93 councillor Vino Reddy joined volunteers and called on more residents to participate in caring for the area. “It is really important for us to maintain our river systems, to keep them clean, to make sure that they’re not polluted. We want to make it clean and safe for everyone.

“I encourage more people to come down to join these clean-ups, because it’s in the best interest of the communities, as well as utilise our public open spaces, because if we don’t use it, it’s going to be occupied.”

The clean-up was supported by regular volunteers, community members, people completing community service, Chilli Lane Shopping Centre and Fidelity ADT, which Nativel said has supported the initiative, on and off, for six years.

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