’Preserving spaces for generations to come’

It is important to preserve land and spaces for the generations to come, says Igshaan Carstens, founder of Strandfontein Agricultural, Aqua Marine and Boating Association (SAAMBA).

Community organisations and the City of Cape Town’s Biodiversity management department of the Zandwolf section of the False Bay Nature Reserve worked together to clean the Blue Waters Beach near Bayview and Strandfontein on Saturday February 26.

“This community initiative is to continue to keep the area clean and clear of any filth or danger to the sea life. We experienced a bad oil spill from a sewage plant in Strandfontein, the sanitation department took care of it,” says Mr Carstens.

“However, our job as the community is to keep our spaces as clean and free of filth as possible, so that we can continue to make use of our beaches.”

They want to preserve the community for the people, he says, and they want to work with the councillor and all the departments affiliated with this community.

“If we don’t look after our land now, who will? We should not be contributing to the environment in a negative way. If we’re doing a little now, it will eventually lead to a big change,” says Mr Carstens.

Wiseman Ruiters, acting chairman of the Ratepayers’ Forum and Economic Development (RAFED) in Bayview says the clean-up initiative is one of the many their organisation will be embarking on.

“It’s important to preserve our heritage. Sea life is killed by something as simple as plastic,” says Mr Ruiters.

“We must continue to educate our communities on preserving the earth, animals and so much more. We’ve spotted quite a few dead seals on the shore. This is a source of life and we should take care of it.”

Patrick Leaner, one of the founding members for RAFED says through the clean-up, they want to contribute positively towards the environment.

“The plastic doesn’t dissolve. Te ones we usually find when cleaning up. The seals are affected by this along the False Bay Coast. It would be great to see more of the community coming out in their numbers to join the clean-ups in the area,” said Mr Leaner.

Mr Carstens says the youth will be the ones to carry on these acts, of taking care of the environment. “We must come together and give our input on what we can do better, especially after we pass on. The beach will still be here and it still needs cleaning.”

Ansaar Arensea, 10, from Bayview says he liked picking up the papers, the dirt and plastic to keep the environment clean and will do it again.

Asaad Ariefdien, 10, from Bayview says he was happy to be a part of the clean-up, “as I want to keep the sea life safe and make sure that the animals don’t die”.

“I will continue to tell the other children around me to do the same.”