Last weekend, the Harties Clean and Restore Project saw an inspiring turnout of volunteers united by one goal: a cleaner, healthier environment for all.
Spearheaded by the Rotary Club of Brits Hartbeespoort and WESSA’s Magaliesberg Biosphere branch, the initiative drew diverse support from community members, local organisations, and regional partners.
Operating from their central base at Schoemanville Resort, volunteers dispersed in all directions, tackling pollution at key sites surrounding the dam.
Mike Durrant led the Methodist Church team, while Jo Dreyer (WESSA/BirdLife Harties) coordinated volunteers from local restaurants Spur and John Dorys to restore the Ifafi Bird Sanctuary.
The In2Food Strawberries Brits team swept through the dam wall area starting from the zoo, and Kosmos activities were coordinated by Dion Mostert and Annalie Jouvaris.
To the south, Pecanwood School students, led by Madalet de Wet of Rotary, cleaned around the Islands Mall area, while Lynne Clarke (WESSA) and her team made impactful progress along the Crocodile River. Far west in Mooinooi, Andries de Vries and his group collected large volumes of rubbish and rejuvenated parkland and island spaces.
Throughout the day, Rotary and WESSA volunteers provided medical support, water, and meals, including a braai.
“This was far more than a clean-up,” said one organizer. “It was a statement of what’s possible when communities collaborate with purpose.”
The project highlighted the importance of sustained effort, encouraging residents and businesses to take ownership, not just by joining clean-ups, but by maintaining cleaner spaces year-round.
The organisers also extended support and best wishes to civic initiatives, Proudly Madibeng and Proudly Harties, as they work to foster stronger, cleaner, and more connected communities.
It is estimated that around 70 people took part in the clean-up, with around 400 bags of rubbish collected. Thank you to PlasticsSA for their support during the project.