Following the recent launch of the Clean Up Jozi campaign introduced by the current Johannesburg mayor Geoff Makhubo and MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services Mpho Moerane, community members kick-started a Midrand clean-up initiative at Kaalfontein Ext 23 on 9 January.

Community members, members from the South African Communist Party (SACP), South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco), Congress of the South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) and the African National Congress (ANC) gathered at David Makhubo Secondary School to clean the school and its surroundings.

Greater Midrand ANC chairperson Nthabeleng Chokoe said the plan was to demonstrate to communities that it is in their hands to determine the kind of environment that they want to live in. “We would like to encourage our communities to choose a clean and healthy environment, which, contrary to popular belief, cannot be reserved to urban suburbs.

“The school had on numerous occasions, complained about the community dumping rubbish near the school. Which is also a result of overcrowding in our communities. The dustbins provided become smaller because, in most cases, there is more than one family in each household, which is a challenge.”

Chokoe added that the frequency of refuse collection was also a challenge. “The municipality collects refuse once a week. In the past year or so, refuse collection was not even consistent, leading to rubbish piling up on our streets.”

“Another challenge is the absence of community environmental and health educational programmes focused on littering. Therefore, we aim to work with the City and our urban communities to change the wrong perception regarding littering, our communities need to take charge of their environment. Community leaders and members alike should encourage all people living and working in our areas not to litter and create dumping sites within our residential areas.”

Ward 110 councillor and chief whip for Region A, Lesibana Lamola, was also involved. Speaking on behalf other councillors who attended he said, “As a leader one has to lead by example, that is why I and fellow councillors felt the need to protect the vision, besides, apart from being leaders we are first community members.

“As councillors, we are sending a message to the community to say, let us keep our area clean and tidy at all the times so that we can stay healthy. Community members must know that they own the area where they live and that is why they must be part of the activities in and around their area.”

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