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

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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 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.

“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.”

A resident, Uwe Hohl, said that Mandela Day is always a special occasion where they can continue to contribute towards the legacy of the great leader.

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“As much as we are also active on other days of the year, Mandela Day just seems to bring a different motivation and unity with it,” said Hohl.

“It is absolutely crucial that residents join and support these initiatives. The City of Johannesburg has proven that it is not able to cope with all the issues it is faced with, so the residents need to assist as best as we can. With small regular efforts, we can maintain or improve our suburbs, which has a huge impact on the quality of life in our area.”

Hohl added that the clean-up was a great success, even if the turn-out was quite low.

“There is much work to be done in the bird sanctuary, especially with regards to the control of alien vegetation and litter. However, the team that did come together showed great commitment, and everyone worked hard. Days like these also give residents in the area an opportunity to meet neighbours whom they normally would not interact with. It builds a great sense of camaraderie and results in a personal sense of achievement.”

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