The Helderberg Community-oriented Project Service (Cops) recently made it their mission to not only clean-up the terrain on the outside of Strand Magistrates’ Court, but they also tackled a pollution problem in the Lourens River.
On Monday (29 May) Helderberg Cops teamed up with KC Gericke, the chairman of AfriForum Strand Patrol who also owns 1 Day Painters, and representatives of the Helderberg Oasis Walk-in Centre for Skills Development to beautify the outside of Strand courts.
Joelene Cloete, the dedicated owner of Helderberg Cops, and Lillian Albertyn, a community policing forum and neighbourhood watch co-ordinator, were approached by management at the courts and arrangements were made for the clean-up.
“One of the significant hurdles faced during the planning phase was acquiring the necessary fuel to power the machinery and tools required for the project,” she said. “Despite reaching out to local businesses and garages we were met with disappointment as none of them were willing to contribute.”
Gericke stepped up and provided all the fuel required to clean-up the area surrounding the courts.
“It’s marvellous to work in a community where organisations and individuals step up to assist,” explained Cloete. “We couldn’t have accomplished this without the selfless contributions of KC Gericke and the unwavering dedication of our volunteers.”
On Tuesday (30 May) the Van Der Stel and Somerset Park Neighbourhood Watch spearheaded a project to clean-up and combat the escalating pollution problems in the Lourens River.
“Our initiative aimed to tackle the pollution caused by dumping,” explains Cloete. “The Lourens River close to Lourens and Sergeant Streets has become a dumping ground for rubbish, leading to environmental pollution and an unpleasant odour. The discarded waste, consisting of various materials, not only detracts from the area’s aesthetics but also poses health risks to the community. Furthermore, the river has been used for bathing, exacerbating the pollution problem.
Various businesses donated cash and food that aided the project and helped to make it a success.
The combined efforts of the community and volunteers have resulted in the removal of a full truckload of rubbish from the Lourens River.
Cloete confirmed that more than 25 bags of waste were collected, significantly alleviating the long-standing pollution problem in the area.
“This clean-up initiative serves as a powerful reminder that we have the power to make a positive change in our community,” concluded Albertyn. “By working together, we can protect our environment, enhance the well-being of our residents and create a safer and cleaner neighbourhood for all.”
