CR Swart clean-up: volunteers sacrifice Saturdays for a better place
“Stop complaining and start doing,” is the motto of the vigorous cleaners in CR Swart Road.
Many road users dread the sight of CR Swart Road in its current state of decay and over-vegetated island, which has inspired many residents to roll up their sleeves and clean it up.
One such Kemptonian is Laetitia Jones who was fed up to bear the lack of service delivery and face the grim state of affairs.
Jones and numerous volunteers have been sacrificing their well-deserved Saturday mornings and have been serving their community by cleaning CR Swart Road in phases for the past four weeks.
“CR Swart is not the first project I’ve facilitated with clean-up operations. However, it’s a major project as it’s one of the longest roads in Kempton. This will take weeks to complete as I cannot expect volunteers to offer their entire Saturday.”
This past weekend, Jones and at least three other Kemptonians were seen and cheered on by passing vehicles while they pulled out bushes and weeds on the island next to a bakkie load filled with gardening refuse.
“I know the Ward councillors discourages residents from cleaning up after the municipality because we pay our rates and taxes already. However, I refuse to endure these sights any longer as I am proud of Kempton Park and wish to restore it to its former glory.”
Wiping the sweat from her brow, Jones argued that Kempton Park is the receiving hub of international travellers due to the OR Tambo International Airport on its doorstep. She believes that Kempton ought to reflect the beauty to be witnessed all over South Africa. She put up a big banner on the stretch of the island they were occupying, which read: “Stop complaining and start doing.”
This banner inspired a 50-year-old runner, Theuns Eloff, who was passing by and decided to stick around and lend a hand.
“I’ve been living in Kempton Park since I was a little boy and used to love it very much as it used to be a beautiful city growing up. “However, it’s been subject to considerable deterioration over the past 10 to 15 years,” Eloff told Express.
He said the sign made him think about how South Africans across the board do have legitimate reasons to complain, but very few ever rise to the occasion to do something about it.
ALSO READ: Hospice commemorates national Hospice Week
“This group I’ve joined this morning does a lot in the community and I was eager to join in and see to it that our city is restored, little by little,” Eloff concluded.
Jones said that many people hoot in support, and pedestrians from informal communities thank her for clearing the sidewalks.
“I’ve been told that this work makes them feel safer on their travels along CR Swart since the long grass obscures their visibility for any danger of robbers along this road.”
If you want to sponsor or join in Jones’ cause, contact her on 083 444 8579.
Also follow us on:
