Kempton West mom and son clean streets to create women’s support group
'This is my passion and why I clean the area.'
Cleaning the environment is very important, as Kempton West-based mother and son Belinda Pretorius (52) and Rudolf van der Westhuizen (29) prove.
The duo took to the streets in November and cleaned an open veld near Bultoprit Street that harbours reservoirs in the area, all the way to the park.
Pretorius told Express they filled between 20 to 25 rubbish bags. “All we saw were alcohol bottles, used condoms, plastic wrappers and newspapers scattered everywhere,” she said.
Living in a clean environment is not the main reason this family cleaned the area.
Pretorius is a faithful woman of God, who geared up her son with rubber gloves alongside her for the purpose of inviting women to a prayer group.
“This is my passion, that’s why we want to clean our area. My dream is to create a big cell group for women who have suffered abuse and would like to get closer to God in the New Year. But how can I expect family, friends and seekers of God to visit my house while the area looks the way it does?”
Pretorius has suffered abuse from her mother as a child and wishes to draw the community back to the Lord. “Women who know abuse have come to me and said how I invite the Holy Ghost has saved them from suicide.”
Pretorius’ son and former Hoërskool Jeugland learner Van der Westhuizen said: “Besides the reason for my mother wanting to create a prayer group, I felt it necessary to try and keep our surrounding areas clean. I firmly believe that a clean environment creates healthy and safe living.”
Van der Westhuizen is a sous chef who has travelled to places like China, Russia, Japan and most recently Peru through his profession. “My travels have shown me that small communities can operate and make an impact on a larger scale.
“We cannot expect the local municipality to cover all the bases. It is each individual’s responsibility to keep their area clean and it starts by picking up that small candy wrapper, recycling that plastic bottle and sorting the trash according to its kind.”
For him, women, children and men might not have the basic resources or ‘know-how’ to access help as he feels mental health is overlooked in our society.
“I applaud my mother for taking on this task. It is a huge responsibility; however, I believe that with hard work and determination, she will achieve her dreams to support women who have suffered abuse.”
For more information or if you want to join the cell group, call Pretorius on 084 654 2189.
