In her yard, everything had its place. The floors were swept, the surroundings cared for, and there was a quiet understanding that cleanliness was not optional; it was a way of life.

Those were lessons from Lovemore Robson’s mother that shaped the person he is today, so dedicated to keeping Fourways and other areas squeaky clean.

Those lessons came early for him and his twin sister.

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When his twin sister, Loveness, passed away, life at home shifted. He became the only child, and with that came responsibilities that didn’t come with labels.

“I had to do everything. There was no saying this is for girls or this is for boys. I just had to make sure the home is right.”

That sense of responsibility didn’t end at the gate. It followed him into the streets, into the community, into spaces many had long stopped paying attention to.

Over time, people in the areas he constantly cleans up, such as Fourways, began to recognise him, not just as someone who talks about change, but someone who picks up a bag and starts cleaning.

That’s how the Live Life Always foundation, a non-profit organisation he runs, found its rhythm.

There was a time when things worked smoothly. He had a bakkie, which became the backbone of the operation. On clean-up days, he calls volunteers from Diepsloot and Kya Sands who would hop on, carrying spades, plastic bags and whatever tools they could gather.

Together, they would move from one area to another, restoring spaces that had been neglected.

“We would go as a group. Clean the place properly, make it look like people care again. That is what we enjoy doing.” And afterwards, he made sure they didn’t leave empty-handed.

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“I would give them something small. Just to show appreciation. Because they gave their time.” But the bakkie didn’t last. Years of use wore it down. Fixing it became a cycle, one repair after another, the same problems returning. Eventually, it became clear that it was no longer reliable.

“That car is too old now. Even if I fix it today, tomorrow it’s the same issue.” Now, he relies on his personal car, a smaller one, not built for the kind of work he does. It means fewer volunteers can join him. It means tools don’t always fit. It means those who once rode together now have to take taxis just to reach clean-up sites.

“They used to come with me. Now they must find their own way. It’s not easy.”

The work hasn’t stopped, but it has slowed. And that’s why Robson is reaching out for help. Not just for himself, but for the people who stood beside him, and for the communities that still need the work.

“We need a bakkie we can trust. Something that can help us move again. It doesn’t have to be something new, just a second-hand car that can assist us in carrying out our duties.”

Robson is appealing for any form of donations through his BackaBuddy campaign, which he launched so he can buy a small bakkie to assist in his community work.

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