If there’s one single thing that keeps the City of Johannesburg Executive Mayor Cllr Herman Mashaba up at night, it is how to turn Jozi into the cleanest city on the continent.
So in keeping with African traditions and custom, Mayor Mashaba enlisted the help of Gauteng-based mayors to help him achieve his dream as he followed the Setswana saying: “Setshwara ke ntja pedi ga se thata” (there’s strength in numbers).
Two fellow mayors, City of Tshwane Executive Mayor Cllr Stevens Mokgalapa and Executive Mayor of Midvaal Cllr Bongani Baloyi, accompanied by their team members, responded to his clarion call at the Soweto Country Club on Wednesday 5 March. Dressed in protective clothing, the mayors joined Joburg staff members as they picked up litter, pruned and planted streets in support of the City of Johannesburg’s Staff A Re Sebetseng monthly clean-up campaign.
Before the clean-up kicked off around the newly refurbished and stunning golf course, Mayor Mashaba jokingly remarked that Mayor Mokgalapa didn’t get the brief as he was dressed to the nines as if “he was attending some charismatic church”.
After being handed gumboots, Mayor Mokgalapa, who was accompanied by a bevy of Tshwane City officials including Municipal Manager Dr Moeketsi Mosola, said he was looking forward to hosting Midvaal and Joburg in the next A Re Sebetseng in the country’s capital in Tshwane.
City of Joburg entities like Joburg Road Agency, Joburg Water, City Power and Pikitup were on hand to carry out the service delivery blitz led by Acting Region D Director Salome Ngobeza and other City officials including City Manager Dr Ndivho Lukhwareni.
All three mayors signed the A Re Sebetseng pledge, committing to cleaning up Gauteng. Mayor Mashaba said he truly believes “A Re Sebetseng has the potential to not only change the face of Johannesburg but to also inspire the nation. I look forward to the partnership between the municipalities of Joburg, Midvaal and Tshwane in helping to build cleaner, safer and more connected communities.
“The people of our respective municipalities will benefit from our collaboration as we ensure the spirit of volunteerism transcends municipal boundaries in Gauteng.”
Mayor Baloyi said: “This volunteer campaign is critical to bettering community participation not only in keeping their respective environments clean, but also to encourage active citizenry. We want our residents to use their platforms to create the change they want to see. I am excited to start the roll out of #AReSebetsengGauteng across the Midvaal Local Municipality.”
Mayor Mokgalapa said: “The City of Tshwane has always encouraged environmental awareness and getting communities to take charge of keeping their neighbourhoods clean. In June 2018 we launched a Tswelopele Clean-Up Campaign which attracted volunteers from around the city and multiple sponsors at inception. It is against this background that we decided to join hands with our peers and adopt the #AResebetseng brand going forward so that we can collectively keep the Province of Gauteng Clean.”
Staff from the City of Johannesburg undertook similar cleanups in areas such as Alexandra and Orange Farm.
A Re Sebetseng was first launched in Johannesburg in August of 2017. Since its inception, close to 28 000 bags of waste have been collected and more than 21 500 residents have participated across the City through this community-led initiative.
