After seeing the beautiful beaches in Kommetjie and Noordhoek filled with trash, Sonette Son wanted to do something about it. So Project Noordhoeked was born, creating jobs for dozens of unemployed residents and saving the planet all in one go. What’s more, this amazing team also works closely with SANParks to alert them of the location of dead seals and offers additional eyes and ears to the Chapmans Peak neighbourhood watch.
“We focus on cleaning the beach all the way to Kommetjie, around the lagoon, the wetlands, the Noordhoek common and main roads. We clean dog poo, plastic, glass, wire, the beach toilets three times a week,” they say on their Facebook group.
The project is dependent on donations of do-gooders to pay the cleaners. A cleaner gets paid R40 for one large bag of plastic, which equals one hour’s wage.
“We currently have about 20 monthly sponsors who pay on average R50 to R500 per month each. The Ratepayers association donate R500 per month. Every cent goes towards paying wages. If/when we receive additional donations, we increase our cleaning teams and areas as well as sponsor the Noordhoek Football club U10 to U12 teams in return for them keeping the sports fields and surrounding areas clean,” the group states on Facebook.
Supporters who would like to contribute can make a donation or opt for a debit order to help sustain the project, fight unemployment and play a part in keeping one of the most beautiful beaches in the Cape as such.
Donations can be made to:
Capitec Bank
Account name: Project Noordhoeked
Account number: 1656615833
Branch code: 470010
“A very enthusiastic eco warrior friend recently took over the project, and made it even more successful. We now have one of the cleanest beaches and villages on earth. Once we stop whining about issues and do what we can, we find the golden keys to our heaven on earth,” Son says in Facebook group #ImStaying.
Picture: Facebook/I’mstaying