The cleaners of the City

Waste collection group assists the City during their accelerated service delivery programme.

Once Metro police and City officials had cleared displaced people living along Bennet Road in Sophiatown, there was a massive mess that needed to be cleared. Luckily for the City and residents, the Windsor Community Cleaning Association (WCCA) was on standby to do what they do best – clean and clear the area effectively and efficiently.

On the day, October 21, the WCCA was responsible to sort the heaps of rubbish, broken glass, burnt tree barks and unrecyclable products that were present due to the displaced people having lived there. Their team of 23 did all they could to return the site to a state of cleanliness for the surrounding residents.

The day was one of their more hectic days but they are accustomed to clearing such filth across wards 69, 86 and 98 which include the communities of Sophiatown, Windsor and Newlands. When they are not attending to such, they participate in cleaning and run environmental campaigns and awareness programmes but remain on standby to assist the City in whatever way they can. Having started in Windsor in 2019, the WCCA has not been sub-contracted to work with Pikitup to help them achieve their environment goals.

As for the residents of the City, the WCCA pleaded with them to stop illegal dumping and maintain cleanliness in their communities. They have found that people opt for illegal dumping whenever they feel they have no access to bins or dumping sites but stated that Pikitup is ready to direct such members of the public in the right direction by providing bins and dumping sites.

Additionally, they have urged the public to educate themselves in environmental health and their responsibility when it comes to ensuring it.