Sandspruit Environmental Renewal Initiative raises R700 000 for Sandown greenbelt fencing project
Security cameras, street lighting, and environmental beautification are next on the agenda for the Sandspruit River rehabilitation initiative once its 530m fence is complete.
A community-led initiative to protect and restore the Sandspruit River greenbelt has reached a major milestone after raising more than R700 000 for its first rehabilitation phase.
The funds will be used to install about 530m of fencing along the riverine area between Katherine Street and South Road in Sandown, restricting unauthorised access that has led to illegal sand mining, tree felling, dumping, and other environmental damage.
Sandspruit Environmental Renewal Initiative (SERI) director and Sandown resident Jill Hagley said the non-profit organisation was established in October last year after residents identified the neglected green space as an area that should be a conservation spot to benefit the community.
Read more: Clean up at Bryanston’s greenbelt
“We had people with open access driving into the space to buy sand from people who were digging sand out of the riverbed. This is a floodplain, so it impacts the river and the flooding pattern of the river,” she said.
“Indigenous trees were being cut down and informally sold. The indigenous wood was actually sold and carried out.”
Hagley said the initiative began engaging with Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) and other stakeholders to determine how the area could be protected.
Although JCPZ was unable to provide financial support for the project, Hagley said it granted SERI permission to fence the land.
To determine the cost of the project, Hagley personally met with nine fencing contractors before SERI selected an experienced and affordable contractor.
SERI opened its bank account on March 17 this year and began approaching residents, businesses, and the broader community for financial support, raising more than R700 000 by September.
Safety and access target for next phase
While reaching the fundraising target is a major achievement, SERI’s vision extends well beyond installing a fence.
“The idea is not to fence off this greenbelt and then leave it to decay. That’s a very pointless exercise,” said Hagley.
“The next phase will focus on installing lighting and cameras linked to a security company, to make the area safer for people who use it as a walking route between surrounding communities.”
SERI also plans to remove illegally dumped rubble and begin beautifying the greenbelt.
Hagley said the goal is to create a space where residents can enjoy the natural environment through activities such as walking, cycling, birdwatching, and picnicking.
Also read: Take back your greenbelt this Spruit Day
“This has been a labour of love. I don’t always love it, but it has been a labour of love, and it is going to be worth it to see how we can transform this space into something that is an asset for this entire community and the greater community.”
JCPZ approves green corridor protection
JCPZ senior manager for business development Tumi Mputle confirmed that the entity approved SERI’s offer to assist with protecting the Sandspruit Green Corridor.
Mputle said the approval followed extensive assessments of the area and engagements between JCPZ and the initiative as part of broader efforts to protect and rehabilitate the Sandspruit Green Corridor, which serves as an important riparian and ecological corridor within the Sandton area.
“JCPZ recognised that environmental degradation, illegal dumping, waste burning, and unlawful occupation were posing significant threats to biodiversity, public health, public safety, and the long-term sustainability of the corridor,” said Mputle.
Mputle added that the approval is subject to conditions, including compliance with environmental legislation and occupational health and safety requirements during construction and installation.
“The greenbelt must remain accessible to the public in accordance with applicable municipal by-laws, while SERI must continue coordinating with designated JCPZ officials to ensure compliance.”
Mputle also clarified that SERI will not be responsible for removing illegal occupants from the area.
“Any removal processes must be undertaken by the appropriate law enforcement and government authorities, including the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department, the South African Police Service, and other relevant agencies, and not by the residents’ initiative itself.”
Fundraising campaign continues for phase two
With enough money now secured for the fencing, Hagley said the initiative’s fundraising campaign will continue as SERI moves into its second phase.
“When we are done with phase one, we will move into phase two, which is the lighting and the cameras, which involves more finance, so raising the funds doesn’t end here. We are appealing to the extended community, business and residential, to assist us in transforming this. It’s entirely possible.”
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