This comes after a meeting in September between the HCS and the Hoedspruit Airforce Base (AFB) which addressed the overgrown vegetation at the station. The meeting heard that the plant overgrowth around the station had reached alarming levels and stones and vegetation had collected around the inlet grids, which would cause problems if left unattended. “We raised our hand as a volunteer to have the cleaning work done, as the Department of Public Works (DPW) could not attend to it as a matter of urgency,” said Lizmari Wolmarans from HCS.

The project plan was shared with the community, and sponsorship requests were put out. “In true Hoedspruit spirit, the community and businesses jumped in to get the resources and tools necessary to get the job done,” Wolmarans said. The start of the project was delayed due to rainy weather, but teams eventually were able to start to clear the vegetation on Tuesday, October 17, and completed all the work on Thursday, October 26. On Friday, October 27, HCS and Col Enrico Gherbavaz of AFB Hoedspruit did a site inspection.

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“The transformation was amazing. Everyone did such a great job, and the area and the inlet were restored to an acceptable functional state,” said Wolmarans. She said that the hope is that DPW will commit itself and not neglect the preemptive maintenance going forward. “We would like to thank all the sponsors and volunteers that got involved. Their dedication is awe-inspiring, and they have, and will always be, invaluable assets to our town and its people,” she said.

“Our next projects will focus on other areas that need urgent attention and will include the oxidation pond overgrowth in Drakensig, and cleaning up the sewerage pump in Leguan Street.” The surplus funds donated will go towards the ongoing pothole projects in and around town, she said. “Thank you to Marie Helm and Barney van Dyk, for coordinating and managing the project,” said Wolmarans. Residents or businesses that want to get involved, contact Wolmarans at 083 459 0526.

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Businesses, volunteers, and residents that assisted in the removal of vegetation at the Essex water plant were: AFB Hoedspruit and Col Enrico Gherbevaz (daily lunch packs), Le Bamba (cooldrinks and water), Maruleng Local Municipality (TLB), Bergvlei Farm, Sable Tours, Paintsmiths, Kruger2Canyon, Kitcor, Dave Berry, Emil Scheepers Prokureurs, Belinda Blignaut, Brian Brink, Sue and Peter Greef, Deon Pansegrouw and all the anonymous people that donated money towards tools, personal protective equipment and fuel.