Ward 18 residents lead the way in cleaning up East End
Platinum Weekly newspaper | Rustenburg – A small but determined group of Ward 18 (East End) residents is proving that lasting change begins with action. Since 16 August 2025, regular clean-up operations have been carried out across the ward, led primarily by community member Martha Lerm, JC Boardman, DA councillor for Ward 18 Cobus Nortje, Coenie Labuschagne, and Rustenburg Crime Combatting Forum (RCCF) chairperson Kobus Ferreira and his RCCF team.
The clean-ups took place at the following locations:
- 16 August 2025: Corner of Tuin Street and Ridder Street
- 13 September 2025: Partial clean-up of the Buiten Street channel
- 31 October 2025: Park at the corner of Boom and Zendeling Streets
- 15 November 2025: Stormwater drain at Bethlehem and Dawes Streets
- 17 January 2026: Follow-up clean-up at Tuin and Ridder Streets
- 24 January 2026: Additional clean-up at Tuin and Ridder Streets
While the core team has driven each initiative, many residents have stepped in to assist, including Muktaar Mohamed, Jackie Barnard, Valentine from Fast and Reliable Waste Removal, Sandy Webb, Mia Lerm, Hannes, Jan, Joey (RCCF), Sidney from the Ward Committee, Katlego from Dawes Street, Hendrik and Thea Steyn, Frederick Coetzee, Jonathan van Rensburg, and several others.
Support from local structures has also played a key role. Rustenburg Local Municipality provided a skip at each clean-up for the removal of refuse, branches and grass. The Parks Board donated fuel and line for machinery, collected by Ferreira, while residents such as Elmarie Aucamp, Muktaar Mohamed, JC Boardman, Elma Wilmott, Tonie Pretorius, Flip van der Merwe and Venus Rust regularly supplied water and cold drinks for volunteers.
Progress in Ward 18 is steady but gradual, with several overgrown areas still needing attention. The aim remains clear: to improve visibility and safety for motorists and pedestrians, one area at a time.
As Lerm says, the team remains positive and committed – even if it means tackling just one corner at a time.
Main photo: The dedicated Ward 18 clean-up team and community volunteers making a difference – one corner at a time.
