Joburgers join hands to clean up

Joburg residents, City officials and celebrities declared war on litter, turning out, gloved and ready, for Pikitup’s Clean-up Day.
RESIDENTS armed with plastic bags and gloves came out on Saturday, 17 September, ready to rid Joburg of litter during Pikitup’s Clean-up Day.

MMC Ros Greeff and acting Pikitup MD Laurence Boya after a hard day's workMMC Ros Greeff and acting Pikitup MD Lawrence Boya after a hard day's workThe event, hosted annually since 2009, is aimed at encouraging residents to keep their environment clean and to educate Joburgers about the preservation of the environment.

On the day, Roslynn Greeff, the member of the mayoral committee responsible for Infrastructure Services and Environment, and Pikitup acting managing director Lawrence Boya were joined by residents, other City officials and local celebrities to clean up three identified spots.

Pikitup set up more than 33 collection points, and residents across the city cleaned in their own neighbourhoods.

Dressed in blue work suits, Greeff and Boya were the first to put litter into bags at Wright Street in Industria West. So hands-on were the two, they carried on, along with other participants, for 30 minutes, until Wright Street was spotlessly clean.

Speaking at the site, Greeff said Joburg can be a cleaner city if people change their habits and mindsets. “We want communities to love and care for their living environment. The aim of Clean-up Day is to educate communities about waste management; we want them to adopt the culture of recycling.”

SugarsmakxMusician Shugasmakx does his partGreeff said the turnout was good, and that the more residents are involved the better they will understand the importance of living in a cleaner environment.

From Industria the delegates headed south to Meadowlands Zone 10, Soweto at the heavily littered corner of Mohlala and Van Onselen Streets. Here members of the community joined the delegation and celebrities in clearing up an illegal dumping site.

Among those who helped clean up were hip hop artist Lebo “Shugasmakx” Mothibe, Slikour, Nthabi Mphahlele, who plays Meiki Mokoena in Muvhango, and Miss Soweto, Mangali Ngcobo.

Giving details on tackling illegal dumping, Boya warned that households and businesses that continue with the practice of illegal dumping will face the full might of the law. “We have partnered with the Johannesburg Metro Police Department, who ensure that waste management by-laws are enforced; already they have issued a number of fines to perpetrators.” Fines can amount to R5 000 and more.

Boya said Pikitup has partnered with a number of schools across Joburg where they regularly run workshops with learners to teach them about the importance of living in a clean environment. “We want children to get used to caring for the environment from an early age.”

Pikitup has heavy cleaning schedules in informal settlements, known to be hotspots for illegal dumping. “Our employees collect rubbish on a daily basis in informal settlements and squatter camps, unlike in the suburbs, where we collect once or twice a week,” said Boya.

A green space is a beautiful environmentA green space is a beautiful environmentMoving to the final clean-up spot in Eldorado Park Extension 1, Pikitup and Johannesburg City Parks employees joined hands to clear litter.

Here Boya and Greeff planted a ceremonial tree as part of City Parks‘s beautification programme.

The celebrities who participated said they had done it for the love of Joburg. “It is important to keep our city clean because a cleaner city is good for business and healthy for citizens and provide safe surroundings for children to play,” said Shugasmakx.

Slikour said, “It is fulfilling for me as a Joburg resident to participate in a programme like this one. Well done to Pikitup for putting together an initiative of this kind. This should not be for one day – I think it should be part of every citizen of Joburg’s daily responsibility.”

Ngcobo said, “I love Soweto and I love Joburg. I just feel it is my responsibility as a representative to lead by example. Keeping Joburg clean should be a norm that we have to adopt in our daily lives.”