The volunteer effort successfully collected more than 380 bags of trash as part of ASEZ WAO's worldwide 'Blue Ocean Campaign' to protect marine ecosystems through reducing plastic waste, cleaning up rivers and streams and raising public awareness. 

Community Action Brings Tangible Results to Sandspruit

The cleanup effort saw ASEZ WAO, an international award winning young adult worker volunteer group from the World Mission Society Church of God, tackling the severe pollution along the local river system. Despite the challenging conditions, volunteers spent hours clearing the riverbanks, ultimately removing nearly 400 bags of waste and tons of trash. 

The drive was marked by the presence of key environmental leaders and local advocates. Among the special guests were the Directors of the Sandspruit Environmental Renewal Initiative (SSERI), Palesa Ntoagae and Jill Hagley. The Directors were full of gratitude for the youth and adult workers, expressing their deep appreciation for the immense manpower required to restore the riverine corridor to a safe and natural state. 

Ntoagae, who is a Sandown resident and Founder of SSERI, explaines that she founded the organisation to be an active citizen by connecting with fellow residents to bring about awareness regarding the state of the river due to informal activities. She also pleaded with communities to join in on future clean ups to bring awareness to the residents and community at large. 

"I care about the planet and the environment that we are living in. Most importantly I really do care about making sure that our neighbourhood is maintained and pristine so that we are able to give back and do our part to contribute towards a cleaner and greener environment. How do you create kids that are conscious? You bring them here to clean ups like this so that they grow up to be mindful adults. I am hoping more residents will come to the next clean up."

She also had a strong word of thanks for all the ASEZ WAO volunteers that came to support the clean-up.

"Our first clean up with ASEZ WAO was on a rainy morning and all the volunteers still showed up. We are more than impressed with the turnout. There are other people who are just as invested as me. I really want to thank everybody at ASEZ WAO for always being responsive to us. Thank you ASEZ WAO. This is the beginning of a wonderful and fruitful relationship."

Also lending their support to the initiative was Mark McClue, CEO and Founder of ARMOUR (Action for Responsible Management of Our Resources), who joined the special guests and donated 400 plastic bags from Plastics SA, applauded the hands-on ecological restoration.  

"Our purpose is to be a voice for water, and our mission is to take action in the responsible management of our rivers. We encourage others to do the same to make a positive impact to our rivers and streams. Here in the Sandspruit, it is sitting on the edge of the most financially valuable part of the city and even arguably Africa yet look at how we are treating it. Thank you to Plastics SA for donating the plastic bags used here today and thank you to ASEZ WAO. The work you do today, people will leave with better knowledge than they had when they arrived."

Joining in on the day was Ward 91 Councillor Andrew Stewart who is well known for his active work in tackling various issues affecting residents in the Sandton area also highlihted the importance the realtionship with ASEZ WAO, continuity and community involvement. 

"It is about persistence. When you have an area that has entered into a state of decline, a once-off activity doesn’t help much to create a sustainable solution. We are going to have extra fencing put in and between then and now we need to have to some follow up operations to make sure that we keep the place clean. We and ASEZ WAO have worked together so many times now. This is becoming standard to us that you come in and do what needs to be done."

"As you have gone along, you have individual residents like Jill Hagley who have stepped up to assist and do a bit extra to ensure ongoing operations. To the people of ASEZ WAO, you guys do this all the time. It is always greatly appreciated. I don't think you get the publicity that you should but from our perspective we are always eternally grateful for the people who do good for communities. Come rain or shine, you pitch up and play your part. That is what we always appreciate."

The Sandspruit River has faced severe environmental threats in recent years, ranging from illegal dumping to unauthorised recycling activities. The Blue Ocean Campaign stands as a vital defense in the effort to protect terrestrial and marine ecosystems from severe contamination that begins inland and spreads to downstream waters. 

Through their tireless efforts, the volunteers not only improved the immediate surroundings of the Zandfontein water depot, but also helped foster a culture of active citizenship and community pride in the Sandton area. The event highlighted how community-driven "force multipliers" can make a difference in preserving local green spaces and waterways where city resources are often constrained. 

ASEZ WAO is an international volunteer group that consists of the World Mission Society Church of God young adult workers from 7 500 churches in 175 countries. The volunteer group plans to contribute to making improvements for mankind and the earth by taking care of neighbours and communities with young adults' passion and positive energy and participating in environmental protection activities. 

For more information, visit www.asezwao.org.

*Image courtesy of contributor