LYDENBURG – Members of the P.R.I.D.E. project have once again successfully cleaned and tidied up the town with the help of businesses, organisations, individuals and local schools.

This project is the brainchild of the Lydenburg/Mashishing Business Chamber (LMBC) and is its contribution towards the Green Day cleaning campaign.

This initiative started two years ago and this is the third cleaning campaign successfully led by the LMBC to curb litter pollution in town. The chamber also donated black bags to the Lydenburg Taxi Association to raise awareness about littering and the effects it has on the environment as a whole.

A group of volunteers from businesses, welfare groups, the local municipality as well as individuals took part in the local Green Day project.

The main area that was focused on was the entrance to the town from the Dullstroom road turn-off. Other businesses joined by cleaning closer to their premises.

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According to the chairperson of LMBC, Etli van der Merwe, this initiative is aimed at creating a sense of pride and awareness in town that everyone should play a part in making a difference.

“We want to thank the following businesses for sponsoring black bags and vehicles to help with the removal of the rubbish: Pick n Pay, Longtom SUPERSPAR, Rietfontein Verpakking, Manor Guesthouse, McGee & Co Ford, Morgan Nissan, Westvaal, Mpumalanga Recycling and Environmental Solutions and Trail Surveys,” Van der Merwe said.

Those that helped with the cleaning on the day were Home4Paws, Klitsgras Chalets, Step Foundation, DN Makelaars, Pam Golding, Lydenburg Tuinbou Klub, Wenakker, Thaba Chweu Local Municipality (TCLM) along with the Mpumalanga environmental affairs department, Aqua Terra Guesthouse, Quicklane, McGee Caltex Lydenburg, Mahindra, Hannes Marais of Nature Reservation and the LMBC P.R.I.D.E. team with Bruce James.

All the bags were taken to MPRES Recycling Centre, which received and sorted the garbage. Wenakker also collected a record 92 black bags.

TCLM traffic officials joined in by filling potholes with soil that had been removed from the side of the road. The management of Klitsgras Chalets also took the initiative to paint the Doringberg Bridge at its business entrance and added some colour to make it more visible.

“We plan on having another Green Day before the festive season. This time, we would love to see the whole town join in to make Lydenburg a beautiful destination. Together we can do so much more.” Van der Merwe added.

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