Maru Attwood

5 June 2026

For the last 10 years, volunteers from Love My Mokopane have met almost every month to restore public spaces in their Limpopo town. From transforming the gardens of the magistrate’s court, to cutting grass and picking up litter, to creating a comfortable room for victims of gender based violence at the police station, they come together with real commitment and care for their community.  

Love My Mokopane was started by educationalist Minda Marshall and her husband, pastor Thomas Marshall. After a trip to Rwanda where they learned about Umuganda, a nationwide, monthly community service day, they returned to Mokopane with resolve to build a sense of local responsibility, especially in the face of messy and neglected parks and other municipal spaces. 

Starting small and growing strong  

In 2016, the Marshalls formed a group of volunteers from Destiny Alive Church and Mokopane Destiny Academy, and began their first “adopt a spot” efforts to clean up Mokopane. 

“We started very slowly,” says Minda. “From the beginning, I think what is special about Love My Mokopane is we are focused on bringing the children in…We want these kids to know you've got to take responsibility in your community if you want to change things.” The group plans their projects so that they are safe and accessible for kids to participate in, often partnering with schools. 

Love My Mokopane began by picking up litter on streets and parks, but over time, with each monthly volunteer day, more schools, residents and local businesses began to show up and take part. With a donation of brush cutters, they started to clear overgrown grass. This grew into a host of efforts, including restoring the entrances of the town, helping renovate the police station, fixing up the town museum and train station, supporting the local SPCA and cleaning up municipal gardens at retirement homes.

Imogen Marshall, who leads social media for Love My Mokopane, says, “People get demotivated if they don't get sponsors, or don't get backing immediately.”  But being a small passionate group, they have that attitude that “We're going to do what we can do with what we have…The heart behind it was, no matter how much we can do, we're going to take responsibility.”

Consistent and Community Led 

At the beginning of each year, Love My Mokopane reaches out to residents to get suggestions of places around the town to help restore. They then plan an annual calendar with monthly activities. Getting input from the community “gives them ownership of what's happening,” says Minda.  

At the end of each year, they celebrate everyone who participated and supported the group, recognising sponsors and handing out certificates and trophies made from recycled materials.

Being very consistent is key to the group’s success. “Because we've been going for so long, people are starting to see this is not just someone feeling a little bit inspired and doing something and then getting busy and forgetting or stopping,” says Imogen.

Bringing Everyone Along 

The group is led by a volunteer action team who plan and coordinate projects, and bring a wide range of partners into their projects. “If we join hands and we come together, strategize, plan the impact we can make is so much bigger,” says Imogen. 

Seeing the impact they are making, businesses in the town have been eager to support Love My Mokopane’s efforts. Tool hire companies, real estate agents, a local bookkeeper and more sponsor services for the group.

Recently, the Mogalakwena Local Municipality has also supported Love My Mokopane with cleanups, bringing in refuse removal trucks and other support. Working together has helped improve relationships between municipal workers and residents who are striving towards shared goals in Mokopane. 

Changing their town, and minds 

One of the biggest challenges working in a small town, according to Minda, is that many people have a very negative perception of the Mokopane as it has become increasingly dilapidated. But as Love My Mokopane has made a big impact over the years, they have started to show even the most skeptical residents that there is value to be restored in their town.

“It's not been an easy road. But there's great value in the projects … that can really be incredibly beneficial to our community,” says Minda. The clean-ups have strengthened ties between residents of different backgrounds, who chat and get to know each other as they volunteer.  

Ten years in, Love My Mokopane is proof that lasting change is carried by people who are willing to show up, again and again, month after month.