A cleaner and beautiful Zandspruit is possible

Dirty streets in Zandspruit could soon be a thing of the past if residents are willing to join in and support Pikitup and the City of Johannesburg.

On 15 February, Pikitup together with officials from the City of Joburg and some Zandpruit residents, embarked on a huge clean-up of the informal settlement. The clean-up also paved the way for the launch of Pikitup’s new recycling project, Separation at Source, which the managing director of Pikitup, Amanda Nair, dubbed as “turning trash into treasure”.

With the recycling project, educational talks are given to residents on separating their refuse. Two community projects were chosen where residents can take their recyclables in exchange for things they most need. “This will help with addressing other social issues as it will grant employment opportunities for others,” she said. She added it was worrying to them as an entity because the dumping was also a health hazard to residents, especially children.

According to Nair, Zandspruit was the first of the 130 areas where the project will be launched. She added that Zandspruit was a settlement crippled by illegal dumping. “Pikitup currently runs a five-day operation but it doesn’t look like it. We clear illegal dumping sites today and tomorrow the rubbish is back again.”

Ward councillor Maureen Schneemann said she believed in the project and that it gave her hope in seeing Zandspruit not only clean but beautiful. She emphasised that community involvement was important in achieving this goal. “Stop asking what the government is doing, what are you doing?” she added.

Director of City of Joburg’s Region C, Mlamleli Belot, also used the opportunity to address other service delivery issues affecting residents. He pleaded for residents’ patience and understanding. Belot said city council officials had been in the area over the past few weeks and managed to identify a number of community needs. “We are in the process of buying land so that we can provide adequate housing for you,” he said.

Litter was picked up off the streets. All illegal dumping sites were also cleaned and Pikitup identified a spot that will be demarcated for residents to dump all non-recyclable items.

Residents committed to keeping their area in the state Pikitup left it in, clean. “We are tired of being known for only doing things that are wrong, like violent protests, we want to do good for our children and grandchildren. It’s time for us to own up,” said one resident.