Clean & Green Group keeps Albertville Park beautiful, despite ongoing illegal dumping challenges
A dedicated group of volunteers proved that caring for Albertville Park is a year-round commitment, not just a Mandela Day tradition.
For most people, Mandela Day means dedicating 67 minutes to community service.
For members of the Clean & Green Group, it was simply another Saturday doing what they have committed themselves to all year – caring for Albertville Park. On July 18, the volunteers once again picked up litter, removed illegally dumped waste, and restored the park to a cleaner, more welcoming space. While their numbers were small, their determination remained unchanged as they tackled one of the biggest challenges facing the park: Persistent illegal dumping.
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Albertsville resident Nicci Von Arnold stated that Nelson Mandela’s legacy of service is about taking responsibility for the spaces we share and contributing to the well-being of others without expecting anything in return. “Through our monthly clean-ups in Albertville Park and the surrounding area, we demonstrate that service starts with ordinary people taking action. By giving our time and effort, we aim to create a cleaner, safer, and more welcoming environment for everyone who lives, works, and visits the community.”
Von Arnold highlighted that one of the biggest challenges has been dealing with the recurring nature of illegal dumping, where areas that have been cleaned can quickly become littered again. “Managing overgrown spaces within the park creates spaces for displaced to camp and make fires at night, it also requires additional equipment for tree pruning resources, and volunteer capacity.”
Also read: Lets clean up Alberts Farm
Another member, Sally Clarke, said given Madiba’s belief in small daily actions, regular clean-ups have raised the profile of the river and green space in Albertville. “Even if people do not participate directly, knowing that some people are making a positive intervention helps them to feel positive about their neighbourhood. People have started to monitor and report illegal dumping.”
Clarke appealed to those residents who cannot join for clean-ups to rather donate funds to support their cause. “The green space belongs to everyone. We would like the broader community to become involved, in Montgomery Park, Newlands, and Albertskroon.”
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