Monthly A Re Sebetseng clean-ups have continued to grow since the initiative was first started two years ago.
On 21 September, the mayor of Johannesburg, along with many others, celebrated the anniversary of the initiative by cleaning up Diepsloot.
The third Saturday of each month is dedicated to encouraging community members to come out in force to clean and care for their own neighbourhood. For this month’s event, mayor Herman Mashaba, as well as MMCs and the director of Region A (under which Diepsloot falls) Abigail Ndlovu, rolled up their sleeves to help clean up the informal settlement around the main artery of Ingonyama Road. The clean-up began in Diepsloot Park on Ingonyama Road.
The day began with an aerobics class for the community before the clean-up efforts which took place from 9am until 11am. Also present on the day were two companies that gave their support to the initiative. Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa supplied drinks on the day and Shoprite provided food for participants including a number of children from the community.
“There are 15 wards in Region A and each month we try to hold an A Re Sebetseng event in a different one so that we can visit them all during the financial year,” explained Ndlovu when asked why so many big names were in attendance.
“We actually have two main teams working today. One is cleaning up on Ingonyama Road which is a main feeder road for the informal settlement. We also have another team on Emfuleni Road [which is the other side of the park].
“The A Re Sebetseng movement has been growing since it was launched in 2017.”
Volunteers on the day also included David Tembe, the chief of the Metro police, MMC for Public Safety Michael Sun, Diepsloot proportional representative councillor Sean Kreusch and Fourways councillors Chris Santana of Ward 106 and Sbusiso Mthembu of Ward 96. “I hope the community takes responsibility and pride in their neighborhoods, that’s what A Re Sebeseng hopes to encourage first,” Sun told the Midrand Reporter.
“Secondly, I hope it inspires a culture of not littering. It’s our responsibility to keep our city clean – not the government’s, not organisation’s, but ours.”
“And thirdly, I hope this initiative creates social cohesion as the young, the old, and every member of society comes out to play their part.”
In his address to participants, Mashaba said that everyone had a part to play. “I’m so pleased when people start bringing kids to these events so they can learn to be responsible,” he said before the work began.
“I really feel fortunate that the city is embracing A Re Sebetseng. I wasn’t naive that it would just take off after we announced it, but it’s really taking off and is growing on a daily basis.”
The next A Re Sebetseng day is scheduled to take place on 19 October. Contact your local resident’s association to find out how you can participate in the day.
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