Members of the Maoto Mpepe Ke Tswa Hole Hiking Club gathered on the Botshabelo Hiking Trail on 22 July to clean the trail for their Mandela Day project.
Rene Khumalo said the clean-up had two objectives. Firstly, to raise awareness about climate change; and secondly, to improve the area in which they live.
“We have seen the effects of climate change with the droughts and heavy rains we have experienced in South Africa.
“Because of the nature of hiking as a sport, it is neccessary that we promote a clean environment to be sustained, so the next generation can have access to parks and mountains.”
The club chose Botshabelo because they have hiked there previously.
“We found it very dirty due to the proximity of the mountain to the dumping side. We then chose to clean it as we use it for hiking, and to make sure our communities are not affected by the unfortunate uncleanliness due to the dumping side.
“We cleaned the trail next to the site where the Interstate buses stop, and toward the dumping side and the hill there.”
