Roodekrans’ Stephan Marais has organised a community clean-up that brought together residents, businesses, schools and community organisations with a shared goal: Improving the neighbourhood they call home.

The clean-up, held on May 30, started at the corner of CR Swart and Ouklip Road and ended up on Wilgerood Road.

 Armed with rakes, refuse bags, brush cutters and plenty of determination, the volunteers picked up litter, cleared overgrown areas, and cut grass along the roadsides.

Also read: Small hands, big change in community clean-up

According to Marais, the day was never about who was doing the work. The real objective was to encourage a sense of pride in the community and create an environment where residents feel invested in the area they live in.

“When people can drive past a section of road and say, ‘I helped clean that’, it creates ownership and pride. Communities improve when people care about their surroundings and take responsibility for them.”

He said the success of the initiative was made possible through community support.

“Local schools assisted by lending equipment such as brush cutters, while residents contributed tools, time and effort.

“Like many community-driven projects, there was no large budget behind the initiative. Instead, it relied on neighbours helping neighbours and organisations supporting a common cause,” he said.