#KleenaJoburg campaign continues in Alex
ALEXANDRA – Together, residents and City officials tackled Alex's filth.
Hundreds of Alex residents in Ward 75 recently braved the cold and rain while participating in the City council’s #KleenaJoburg campaign.
The weekly clean-up exercise on 25 January formed part of the council’s campaign to create a safe environment for residents. “It is one of the key mayoral projects aimed at transforming the city into a clean and safe environment for families and residents to enjoy. Also, it intends to ensure that by-laws are enforced,” according to a council statement.
Mayor Geoff Makhubo took part in this exercise, accompanied by MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services Mpho Moerane, City Power CEO Lerato Setshedi, Pikitup managing director Bukelwa Njingolo and other senior City managers.
“Armed with gloves, rakes, spades, refuse bags, litter pickers and brooms, Makhubo, Moerane and City employees joined residents in sweeping the streets, removing rubble, collecting refuse, clearing illegal dumping sites, fixing street lights and clearing blocked drains.”
They concentrated in the area bordered by Vincent Tshabalala Road, 1st and Alfred Nzo avenues, 15 Avenue taxi rank and 14th Avenue where Moerane assisted to fix street lights while Makhubo exchanged views with community leaders. “The campaign is about building responsible communities and educating citizens not to litter,” Makhubo said, encouraging the residents to take responsibility of their surroundings.
For Moerane, the campaign aims to educate residents to keep their spaces clean. “It is their responsibility to do so while that of the City is to pick up their rubbish. What is important is for the communities to adopt a culture of living in a cleaner environment.”
In an appeal to residents, councillor Sannie Mabona said, “Residents should join in cleaning their environment.
“As councillors, we plan to take this initiative forward and will educate the community about it in ward meetings.”
Resident Fana Masemola said the residents are heeding the call. “We formed a team that cleans different streets every Sunday morning.
“We believe dealing with waste differently will prevent the blocking of drains in our area.”
Council departments which participated are Joburg Metro police, emergency medical services (EMS), Citizens Relationship and Urban Management, Department of Social Development, Joburg Water, Johannesburg Roads Agency as well as departments Development Planning, Environmental Health and Economic Development. They were partnered by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa, which supports high-impact environmental and conservation projects and promotes participation and caring for the earth.
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