The AfriForum branch in Kempton Park kicked off the civil rights organisation’s fight and build strategy on Friday 11 September 2020, and branch members and volunteers launched various upliftment projects.
The Kempton Park branch and the youth portfolio of AfriForum’s East Moot branch did renovations at the Kempton Park branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) on 12 September. Members painted tyres and planted these with seedlings; they also paved an area of 12,5 m2 and demolished a shed. The branch also donated about 500 kg of dog food to the SPCA branch.
The Kempton Park branch’s youth portfolio did renovation work as part of their owl box project. This project was launched in 2019 and they have already erected five owl boxes. A karee tree was planted at the owl boxes as part of AfriForum’s arbour month project. The tree was donated by Schubert Landscape.
The branch opened a mobile health centre on 15 September, which will make an enormous difference in the lives of people without regular access to medical care. 46 elderly residents of the Linitas Home utilised the services of the health centre on the first day. The centre will provide basic medical services, such as taking patients’ blood pressure and testing their cholesterol and blood sugar levels. A team of nurses with many years’ experience will provide voluntary services. Moreover, pharmacists and doctors have also indicated that they are keen to become involved. After launching the mobile health unit, the branch also launched a health project in cooperation with the South African National Blood Service.
The branch also performed water tests as part of AfriForum’s national blue and green drop project. The results will be released later in the year.
After continued pressure and letters to the Ekurhuleni Metro the branch succeeded in having the Highveld Transfer Station cleaned up. The Kempton Park branch is grateful to the Metro but will continue to report water and sanitation problems at the transfer station to the Metro. About 500 illegal posters were also removed from lamp poles and stop signs, and the branch also repaired 26 potholes in Kempton Park.
The Fight and Build week was ended by rehearsing a safety plan in which many role-players played a part. Two drones were used during the exercise.
“We do not wait for anyone to solve our problems. We believe in stepping in and getting our hands dirty,” says Jan Vermaak, Chairperson of AfriForum’s Kempton Park branch.
“These projects and actions were made possible by AfriForum’s Kempton Park branch members, who took on everything with a positive attitude. They took ownership and responsibility for their community and environment, and this contributed to the weeks’ success,” says Stephanus (Butch) Blignault, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for the East Rand.
Join these active AfriForum branches and be part pf the difference: SMS “Kempton Park” to 45342 (R1) to join this branch.
