Ferndale residents joined forces with Ward 104 councillor Emi Koekemoer on Mandela Day to give the Ferndale Bird Sanctuary a much-needed clean-up, demonstrating the power of community action and shared responsibility.

The green belt space, which has suffered years of neglect, became a hive of activity as volunteers arrived in numbers armed with refuse bags, gloves and gardening tools.

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Throughout the morning, participants collected litter scattered across the sanctuary and worked together to remove invasive plant species that had taken hold in parts of the area.

The clean-up formed part of the Mandela Day spirit of giving back, with residents dedicating their time to improving the space in their area. Their efforts resulted in a noticeable transformation, leaving the sanctuary cleaner, safer and more welcoming for visitors and local wildlife.

Koekemoer praised the turnout and residents’ willingness to take ownership of their environment and green belts. She said the day’s work marked an encouraging start in restoring the sanctuary but acknowledged that much more remains to be done.

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“There is still a long way to go, but today was a step in the right direction. We are creating a green space that the community can use, and we encourage residents to come and visit. There are tables and chairs; the river is flowing nicely; there is a lot they can enjoy here.”

She added that this will be a continuous project.

“A lot of people who came said they have no idea that there is such a beautiful space they can visit and use. So, we encourage more people to get involved.”

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