Last week Tuesday was of course Human Rights Day and the public holiday was celebrated in different ways by different people and organisations.
Here in town, some ‘Vryheiders’ rolled up their sleeves and went into the filthiest areas to conduct a clean-up campaign. The initiative was led by Ngcebo Nkosi, who says it was heart-warming to see people being supportive of this worthy cause.
“Prior to the actual clean-up date, I received such a positive response from business people, organisations and the community at large, where people offered to buy cleaning materials and tools, as well as make donations. We went to Home Affairs and what we saw outside the premises was terrible! The dirt and stench of urine was just unbearable, but my team did what they do best and thoroughly cleaned the area. A man also came to assist us with water, as we needed it to clean using soap and other chemicals. We also noticed that the drains were clogged and we realised that this was a priority because, if drains are blocked, the community has a serious problem.”
The campaign kicked off on Tuesday, when conscientious community members met at Klipkerk at 05:00. The team cleaned around the CBD, before moving on to eBhekuzulu and other parts of Vryheid. They picked up litter, swept the streets, cut the grass and did everything else that needed to be done in order for the environment to be spic-and-span.
Nkosi explains that he is so happy and grateful for the people who availed themselves on a day when they could have been resting at home. “The love I have been receiving is overwhelming. I am still in disbelief at what the people of Vryheid have done. I am impressed by your enthusiasm and I wish for it to be rejuvenated again in the future. Please do not be discouraged; we are not giving up on making Vryheid a better place to live. There are some people who are already asking: Are you cleaning this Saturday or when is the next date for a clean-up campaign? This is a good sign!” he said with a smile.
“There are many other things we have planned in this community. Right now, we have started cutting down the bushes, but we also need the municipality to come on board and work with us. We cannot do some things because of the bylaws, and we respect that. People must also know that this is not affiliated to any political party; nobody wants to be a mayor or a councillor. We are just looking after our town.”
Nkosi thanks all the people who contacted him to lend a helping hand, his partner Nkosinathi ‘Mabhudi’ Mbatha, and the community members who were active throughout the whole initiative. “Please do not litter; rather use rubbish bins. Encourage everyone around you to keep places clean and healthy.”
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The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.
