Dear editor,
River Rescue says a huge “Thank you” to the Kingswood students who donned boots and gloves and literally mucked in to clean the river tributary just below Mary Waters High School on 15 July 2022.
Some students had worked there some weeks before and were dismayed that the streambed was once again filled with litter. Nevertheless, they set to, tackled the mess, and worked non-stop, filling 10 HUGE yellow bags and really making a difference.
Cleaning the Makhanda watercourses can be depressing – it’s like housework for the planet and needs to be repeated until people see what difference it makes. But … if you care for something, you look after it, and the Kingswood team ACTED out that care, didn’t just talk about it. Their commitment was real, not just sentimental mouth music.
To do something worthwhile when you’re feeling disheartened about it is an act of courage, an act of love, and a measure of maturity.
Truly, the real activists in any community – the people who make a difference – are those who look to see what must be done and then DO it. This group DID it!
Uthando lwemilambo,
Helen Holleman
River Rescue
PS Everyone is invited to a special clean-up at Scott’s Farm on Saturday, 30 July
This second special clean-up is being driven by the Dept of Water and Sanitation as part of the ‘Clean Rivers’ drive for Nelson Mandela month. This follows the Wednesday clean-up at Scott’s Farm. We were very few, but we made a considerable difference, so let’s build on that.
Venue: Scott’s Farm – I’m useless at making pin drops work, so … go to Google maps and type in Cobus and Aitken Streets – you’ll see a big green patch – that’s Scott’s Farm.
Date and time: Saturday, 30 July at 8.30 am-ish
Ending time: When the skips are full. I’ve asked for one skip at the site and two further down Oerson Street, where Lali and his ‘White Knights’ are going to tackle a mountain of a problem.
If you’ve got boots and gloves, please bring them. Wear your oldest clothes and bring water – there’s not enough room in the car for extras like that once I’ve got it full of kit. I’ll collect the kit and bring it to the site.
Uthando lwemilambo
Helen
