Evander-resident begins to clean up her town

EVANDER – It is more than a clean-up project – it is a heart thing.

This is how Ms Heather Minnie describes the Heather @ Hands On cleaning project which she began in Evander last month.

Ms Minnie hopes that this project will change her community, clean up the town and also enable the unemployed to have bread on their tables.

“Keeping the environment clean is everyone’s responsibility.

“We cannot just blame the municipality when our town is filthy, because we also have a responsibility and we can choose whether to dump rubbish on the sidewalk or to rather discard thereof in a trash bin, said Ms Heather Minnie (50).

This pastor’s wife and resident of Evander embarked on her own cleaning up campaign called Heather@ Hands On.

Ms Minnie contemplated for about a month on how to tackle the rubbish problems in Evander, as almost every corner and park of this town are overflowing with rubbish.

Then she decided to do what the congregation of The Kingdom House, a church her husband Past John Minnie has founded in Marikana, Kinross, had done for several years – to clean up their neighbourhood and to encourage locals to join in.

During the lockdown when churches were not allowed to gather, Ms Minnie saw more and more how littering was affecting her own community.

She is a woman who is always looking at ways to help the elderly and needy. Heather @ Hands On saw the light about a month ago and has since received tremendous support.

The first few cleanups were done with the help of a formerly homeless man, Mr Hendrik Bronkhorst, who has since been employed. Mr Jelliet Twala, an unemployed man from Kinross, is now her right-hand man who tackles each clean-up day with diligence and eagerness.

“We are currently cleaning up on Monday, Wednesday and Friday with our focus being on the parks in the area,” explained Ms Minnie.

Ms Karien Amir (61) is another person whom Ms Minnie sees as a pillar of strength.

Volunteers also often join in the cleaning work.

Business people have come forward with donations for cleaning equipment and some compensation or wages for Mr Twala. Some have sponsored lunches.

“I want to thank God for giving me the ability, strength and time to do what is in my heart. God is and has been my strong tower from whom I draw wisdom.”

Ms Minnie is thankful for the support her husband and children are showing towards this project.

She is also thankful to Sasol.

“I thank Sasol for doing so much in our area. Sasol cuts the grass, fix roads and traffic lights, and so much more.

“It breaks my heart to see that after Sasol had fixed something, the municipality does not maintain it. It’s so important to keep maintaining because then our place will be beautiful.”

Ms Minnie pleaded with the municipality to cut the grass at the parks and open spaces where they clean up.

Anyone who wants to help by means of volunteering or donating towards this cause can contact Ms Minnie at 073 211 6206.