An impromptu clean-up operation, started by primary school learners from Helenvale, when they saw an adult littering, earned them an unexpected trip to the Simbonga Game Farm and Animal Sanctuary close to the Gamtoos River.
However, an exclusive Safari was the furthest from their minds when the determined eco-warriors grabbed spades and tackled an imposing embankment along an approximately 1 kilometre stretch of road, for the school holiday.
Grade 6-learner Jade Lynn Swartz recalls how they resumed their work on the Saturday, when an Uncle (Die Oom) stopped and approached them.
“We first thought that we were going to get scolded for cleaning up and planting succulents, but were relieved when he took a video and said he will come back and get someone to bring us rubbish bags and brooms,” recounts the 11-year-old Bayview Primary learner.
“Die Oom,” also known as the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor Gary van Niekerk, called in the cavalry to assist the tenacious patriots. Soon, blue trash bags were moving up and down the embankment like feverish little ants, after a Public Health Directorate employee brought them along.
Mayor Van Niekerk says everything fell into place when veteran Radio DJ and Podcaster Daron Mann told him about an initiative by Warriors of Wildlife founder, Lionel de Lange, to expose children to wildlife conservation.
The initiative and selflessness of the young children immediately came to mind, and an exclusive day trip to the Gamtoos River during the school holidays took shape.
The sacrifice of a school holiday for the common good will now become an opportunity to see rescued tigers, lions and other animals in their natural habitat.
Daron Mann and Mayor Van Niekerk shared the news to loud applause on Friday.
“We just want to reward the initiative of the children for cleaning up. We will arrange a trip, in conjunction with the Office of our Executive Mayor Gary van Niekerk. We will give them something to eat and drink and they will be able to see the animals up close in their natural habitat,” Mann said.
Although they obviously loved the surprise, the children went about their business by grabbing lunch at a nearby soup kitchen, set up for them and the nearby residents. Like the determined little workers they are, the youngsters ate at the embankment, where they are determined to finish what they started.
Asked where the idea came from, Jade Lynn says that it is how they are taught at school.
“We always clean at our school,” the resolute young leader said.
The majority of the children are from Bayview and Fontein Primary schools.
NMB Communications
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