The City of Cape Town and SANParks Table Mountain National Park hosted a volunteer appreciation event at the Smart Living Education Centre in Green Point on Monday, 5 December 2022 to give recognition to the many enthusiastic volunteers who serve their local communities.

Volunteers from the City of Cape Town's Environmental Biodiversity Management Department and the SANParks Table Mountain National Park received certificates in recognition of their dedicated service at our nature reserves across Cape Town.

'Volunteering means that I am able to give back to my community without the expectation of being rewarded or getting paid. The best reward for me is to see the appreciation of the people that I help,' said Johan October, local adventure guide and SANParks volunteer.

'Volunteering takes you on a journey of unintended consequences, but with each step you are making a difference. For me, volunteering gives purpose and meaning,' said Louise Matschke, a volunteer from Nature Connect.

Collectively, our volunteers contribute towards environmental education in the community and assist with tasks including alien vegetation clearing, general maintenance, plant nursery work, flora and fauna surveys, guided hikes, office administration as well as litter clean-ups. The City and SANParks are truly grateful for the assistance we receive in keeping Cape Town's nature reserves pristine and making it accessible to all residents.

'We extend our thanks to our volunteers who come from all walks and who give of their time so freely to ensure a better environment for our residents and visitors to Cape Town. As a City, we are committed to protecting, restoring and managing our natural areas and to improving the health of our environment to the benefit of all. In the battle against climate change, even small contributions make a difference, and through environmental education we can effect change through raising awareness. Our volunteers go a long way towards making this effort a reality,' said Alderman Eddie Andrews, the Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment.

'I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the volunteers who willingly offer their time to assist in econservation efforts carried out across Table Mountain National Park (TMNP), and the City of Cape Town metropole. We are grateful for the energy, enthusiasm, and dedication you bring to your roles as volunteers as you help us accomplish our goal of preserving our natural heritage for future generations to enjoy. Thank you for being an inspiration to us all and we look forward to teaming up with you again and continuing to make a difference together,' said Frans van Rooyen, Table Mountain National Park Manager, SANParks.

Source: City Of Cape Town