Cleanup group behind eThekwini mayor’s healthy city initiative

eThekwini mayor Councillor Zandile Gumede officially launched the Mayoral Healthy City Initiative, a high-impact program aimed at promoting a holistically healthy city at the City Hall recently, reports the Northglen News.

According to Gumede, the health of a city goes beyond the physical well being of its residents, to include the city’s financial status, levels of cleanliness, environmental protection and socioeconomic developments.

“Cleanliness is important in our life from all the aspects. We should take care of it all through life. Practice of cleanliness starts from the home and school from the very little age. It affects us very badly when we do not maintain cleanliness,” she said.

KZN Beach Clean-up founder and Durban North resident Natalie Gorven applauded the city for this great initiative and encouraged people to take ownership of the city.

The cleanup organisation is committed to working locally to improve the quality of oceans and waterways, making them safer for the creatures that inhabit them as well as for the community, thereby contributing towards a sustainable future.

Last year, the mayor said the future of eThekwini and the realisation of its vision to be the Africa’s most caring and livable City by 2030 hinges on building a holistically and sustainable healthy city.

“This could be achieved by working together with businesses, informal traders, transport associations, NGOs and all the departments of the city. Cleaning up the environment does not only create a more pleasant place to live, but also creates a good impression on prospective employers, investors, professionals, and tourists who visit our areas,” she said.

She also highlighted that cleanup efforts may provide community health benefits such as the elimination of breeding sites for mosquitoes and other dangerous pests.

“We want political parties and businesses to play a meaningful role because we all stand to benefit from a clean environment. We want NGOs and civic movement to be part of this. We want taxi associations to be part of this movement for a clean environment,” she added. Gumede plans to enforce the city bylaws and Metro Police will act on those who break the law.

– Caxton News Service

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