THEY wake up before daybreak and leave their homes while their family members are still asleep – no matter the weather or circumstances.
Not even a deadly pandemic can keep them away.
The reason: to collect refuse from the homes of Kouga-residents. Week after week.
Their role in keeping the area clean and beautiful is not negligible. However, no word of thanks is extended to them by anyone for doing that duty. Apart from three or four exceptions.
Jeffreys Bay residents, Githe-Meret Hankce Koertzen, from Mentors Country Estate, and Smhart Security Marketing Manager, Dewald van Staden, want to change that with their ‘Thank You’-campaign.
In a post on social media, they urge all residents to write a short note and put in on their refuse bag to say “thank you” to all the community workers who unselfishly work while the majority of residents are at home during the 21-day lockdown period.
The campaign follows after Kouga Executive Mayor, Horatio Hendricks, asked residents not to insult the brave, frontline soldiers of the Kouga Municipality.
His post of Facebook is as follows: “One of our refuse workers pleaded with me today: Please sir, speak to the people of St Francis. They are rude to us and treat us like we are infected. They don’t leave their bags out and if we drive past we get insulted. It’s not everyone, sir; some say thank you and others give us cake or scones. But please speak to them, we are only human . . .
“So, to those who intimidate and insult these brave, frontline soldiers of Kouga Municipality, much braver than I will ever be . . . shame on you.”
According to Koertzen, the campaign started with a small “thank you” in response to Hendricks’ Facebook-message.
“Shortly after I shared the message, Van Staden contacted me with the idea of launching a local ‘Thank You’-campaign,” she said.
“We started to post the idea all over social media with the aim of not only creating awareness, but also of garnering the support of all residents – helping to make a difference in the lives of these hard-working residents.”
To take part in the campaign, is easy: write a “Thank You”-letter and stick it firmly on your black bags for the workers to see.
“The whole impact of caring can be transformed into something positive, especially in uncertain times,” says Koertzen. “We hope to get the support of the whole community.
“Who knows, this might become a national campaign.”
