When the City of Johannesburg launched its monthly city-wide volunteer cleaning campaign A Re Sebetseng on 14 August 2016, we did so with the intent of turning Johannesburg into a City that attracts investment and ensures our residents live, work and play in a healthy environment.
I am pleased to hear that seven months later, the ANC in Johannesburg, have taken it upon themselves to take a page out of our book and hold similar clean-ups in the City, one of which I am informed took place this past weekend.
Whispers of President Cyril Ramaphosa also considering getting involved in such regular clean-ups across all municipalities in South Africa, fills me with hope.
The City of Joburg pioneered the A Re Sebetseng initiative after a delegation visited the City of Kigali in Rwanda, which is known as the “cleanest city in Africa.”
Following the visit, we had to design the blue-print of how to host a monthly volunteer cleaning campaign across 135 wards in a cost-effective manner; how to easily provide the requisite cleaning materials to residents; how to ensure all refuse collected will be timely removed following the clean-ups; and how to get our residents and all City-employees involved.
It is also imperative that people remember that A Re Sebetseng is a campaign for all. We try to keep it depoliticised, so that all our councillors and residents, no matter their political affiliation, can freely work together to achieve a common goal – that of turning Johannesburg into a clean and economically appealing city.
The City of Johannesburg is ready to share all it has learnt in order to take this initiative to new heights, including the national stage.
Indeed, this coming Saturday, Deputy Minister of Water & Sanitation, Ms Pamela Tshwete will join officials from Pikitup and Johannesburg Water for an A Re Sebetseng clean-up at the Jukskei River. We are also supporting the Deputy Minister by cleaning the river alongside her as part of National Water Week.
Since the inception of A Re Sebetseng, approximately 10 000 residents have participated in cleaning campaigns across the City.
We have received pledges of support for A Re Sebetseng from the following organisations:
Coca Cola; Total; Adcock Ingram; Miss Earth SA; the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO); the Security Agency of South Africa (SASA); Eyakho Environmental Forum; Greater Johannesburg Environmental Forum; Okuhle Waste Management ; University of Johannesburg (UJ); Remade; Metal and Papers; Plastics SA; Petco; Polyco; Petco; Traffic Net; Phambili Services; Averda SA; Carrus; Joburg CID Forum; Kobus Otto & Ass; Delta Bec; Tedcor; Enviroserv; Mojanation; Mpact; Interwaste; Avis Fleet; TFM Industries; Waohost; The Waste Group; Boitumelong; The Waste Group Projects
Memorandum of Understanding (M0U) signed:
McDonald’s and Rosebank College also respectively signed a MoU with Pikitup. McDonald’s has pledged to support the campaign between October 2017 and February 2018, with the possibility for further renewal. Rosebank College has pledged to clean the Braamfontein area for the next year, between October 2017 and October 2018.
During the past seven months, I have personally led clean-ups in Alexandra, Linden, the Inner City, Oberholzer Park, Noordwyk, Diepsloot, Fourways, Paulshof, Malibongwe Drive, Northriding, Florida Lake, Naledi Ext 2, Kaalfontein Ext 6, the Jozi Business Hub and Kliptown Primary School.
I truly believe that A Re Sebetseng has the potential to change the face of Johannesburg and inspire the nation.
Cllr Herman Mashaba
Executive Mayor
City of Johannesburg
Media enquiries:
Luyanda Mfeka
Director: Mayoral Communications
Office of the Executive Mayor
Cell: 076 171 5978
Email: luyandam@joburg.org.za
