AfriForum’s Benoni branch creates awareness about conservation with successful environmental affairs day

AfriForum’s branch in Benoni hosted a successful environmental affairs day at the Benoni Homestead Dam this past weekend. This day aimed to create awareness about pollution, poaching and health. Almost 250 people participated in this day.

The Benoni branch worked with the community to pick up rubbish, clean sidewalks, prune trees and cut the grass around the dam’s bank. More than 1 ton of tar was also used to fill potholes. New notice boards have also been erected at the dam to raise awareness of the importance of protecting the local fauna and flora.

Jane Trembath, a conservationist, and Denzil Lazarus from the Blue Baboons Kayak Club also spoke to the community on this occasion about the importance of water systems such as the Homestead Dam and why the fish species within this dam must be preserved. Other speakers also talked about physical and psychological health.

“This was truly a community project. It was nice to see school children and young people from the community also do their part to fix up the park,” says Jurie Ferreira, AfriForum’s district coordinator for the East Rand. “We also want to say a special thank you to AfriForum Youth, the security services, emergency services, local SAPS and the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police’s mounted unit who were involved in this day and helped to make it a success.”

“A community that can come together and discuss their common challenges and issues and come up with solutions creates a culture of cooperation and mutual recognition and respect. We hope that these types of projects will inspire the community to get involved and make a difference in their environment,” concludes Ferreira.

The community of Benoni is invited to join their local AfriForum branch and help make a real difference in their community at https://sluit-aan.afriforum.co.za/.