Ward councillor disappointed by lack of participation in A Re Sebetseng in Midrand

The first A Re Sebetseng clean-up of 2019 in Midrand was hosted on 19 January in Ward 112, but councillor Madeleine Hicklin is still disappointed by the lack of participation. 

The clean-up saw a small group of community members and representatives of the NGO Let’s clean Midrand, join together on the corner of Lever and Olifantsfontein roads in the morning and in an hour and a half were able to collect 25 bags of rubbish in the area.

Hicklin said that they were unable to get any schools involved due to the safety risks at Olifantsfontein Road. Though the clean-up participants made a substantial contribution in the cleaning of the area Hicklin remains disappointed by the turnout.

She said, “Very often, we have Midrand citizens complain about the grime in the area. And when an opportunity [arises] to join an apolitical community-based initiative A Re Sebetseng, no one shows up.”

She added that everyone needs to come to the table for the clean-up events to be a success. She said that the initiative is about outward cleaning, which calls for a great mindset change in terms of cleaning.

“We need to change the way we operate and treat the rubbish we build up. For example, by not throwing cans and styrofoam in the street after eating.

“We need to embrace Separation-at-Source recycling. These things will be adopted by our children who we influence.”

Hicklin added that she will be approaching schools in the coming months to develop a new recycling programme which will teach them about the processes of recycling while getting them involved in cleaning and making recycling fun.

Details: Madeleine Hicklin 082 744 5155

https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/205703/mayor-mashaba-kicks-off-re-sebetseng-year/