Midrand residents have once again joined forces to combat the unsightly mess on the streets of Midrand.
On the morning of 23 April, members of the Let’s Clean Midrand team came together to clean up the intersection of New and Harry Galaun roads in Carlswald.
Madeilene Hicklin, head of communications for Let’s Clean Midrand said, “Our aim is to see to it that the cleaning is done properly.”
The non-governmental organisation, which was established less than a year ago, has received a great deal of support, according to Hicklin. “Region A’s Citizen Relationship and Urban Management (Crum) unit have lent us their brooms, while Johannesburg Roads Agency gave us cones and Metro police have ensured our safety on the sites where we work,” Hicklin said.
According to Hicklin, the group has grown from only six volunteers to about 60.
Lerato Mphefo, project manager for the group, said residents should not shy away from doing what their rates and taxes ought to be spent on. “For a lot of people, [it’s about] taking to the streets and showing the City how they would like their streets to look. I say, be proactive, let them know and show them.”
Mphefo said they also received donations from corporates such as Century Properties, Builders Centre, Adcock, Boulders Mall and Four Seasons Gardening Services. She said the Midrand Lions Club, which is a network of volunteers, also offered their services.
Robert Patson, a member of the club, said they had also thought of starting a clean-up initiative in Midrand, however, when they came across the Let’s Clean Midrand initiative they, instead, joined forces with them.
“Instead of reinventing the wheel, this is a more productive way of using our services,” said Patson. According to him, he would like the group to tackle residential areas as well, not just main roads. “We just want to see Midrand clean,” he said.
