![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2015/10/DSC_0215_85808.jpg)
Mondli Gungubele, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) mayor, together with the Minister of Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa, rolled up their sleeves to clean up illegal dumping sites around Tsakane on Saturday, October 24, during the launch of the Ekurhuleni Clean City campaign.
Themba Gadebe, EMM spokesperson, said this is in pursuit of a cleaner and greener Ekurhuleni. “The Clean City campaign will see a 4 000 strong Clean City Brigade be deployed across the region to continue with the work.”
According to Gungubele, the Clean City Brigade is to be the custodian of the programme and its members are expected to lead by example and keep the city clean. In addition, the recruits will be shown how to turn trash into cash by training them in recycling and exposing them to business opportunities in the environmental, waste management and eco-business sectors.
![THE PLEDGE: Ekurhuleni Member of the Mayoral Committee for Environment Resource Management Clr Ndosi Shongwe signs the Clean City Campaign pledge.](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2015/10/DSC_0049_01681-520x390.jpg)
Gungubele also declared every last Friday of the month for the next nine months as Ekurhuleni Cleaning Day, where communities are called to do their bit in eliminating dirt by cleaning their surroundings. “Dirt is a health hazard to humans and it also affects the environment negatively. The City of Ekurhuleni is home to Africa’s first Aerotropolis admired by many countries, therefore, there is no place for dirtiness and filth in our city,” the mayor emphasised
Gungubele and Molewa together with Ekurhuleni’s top management sealed the launch of the campaign by signing a pledge committing them to keeping the city clean.