Turning illegal dumping site into a park
Tsakane - A group of young people from Mzumbe Section in Tsakane spend their time doing something to the benefit of the community.
Members of the Ematayereni Group joined forces three years ago to rid the area of illegal dumping.
The members are all unemployed and aged between 19 and 36 years old.
An open space between their homes, near the Tsakane Old Age Home and a primary school, was filled with rubbish, building materials, as well as dead animalsThe group decided to clean the area to ensure a clean environment and prevent children from getting diseases as a result of playing next to the site.
According to one of the founders of the group, Siphiwe Mohale (23), the smell from the site was unbearable, and residents were forced to keep their doors and windows closed.
He says the group dreams of turning the site into a community park.
“We do not have a park in this area, and we want to ensure that children have a safe place to play after school and over the weekends,” says Mohale.
Narciro Magul (19) who has been running his business next to the site for a year says cleaning the site not only rid the area of the smell, but also helped him get more customers.
Some of his customers, who stopped supporting him because they could not stand the smell, have also since returned.
“After the site was cleaned, we now enjoy the fresh air and live in a healthy and clean environment,”says resident Senzeni Mtshweni (61) who lives near the site.
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