In celebration of United Nations (UN) International Youth Day 2024, Clean City SA spearheaded a community-driven initiative to promote environmental sustainability at the Randburg taxi rank.
The event focused on cleaning up the taxi rank and sorting waste for recycling, reflecting the theme of this year’s Youth Day and empowering the youth to take active roles in their communities, especially in environmental preservation and sustainability.
Dalu Cele, the founder and CEO of Clean City South Africa, said, “So, we have the youth here today to allow them to learn about how we can minimise waste going to the landfill site.”
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The cleanup drew many young volunteers, united by a shared commitment to making Randburg a cleaner and greener place.
Organised by Clean City SA, a well-known environmental advocacy group, several partners support this initiative, including Leap Africa, Youth Day of Service (YDOS), Dow, Seek Together, and Afrika Tikkun. Their collective effort emphasised the importance of collaboration in addressing environmental issues, particularly in urban areas which are often prone to waste accumulation and pollution.
The Randburg taxi rank, one of the busiest hubs in the area, plays a crucial role in daily transportation for many residents. However, the high foot traffic also contributes to litter and waste management challenges. This cleanup not only aimed to tackle the immediate problem of waste but also hoped to inspire ongoing efforts to maintain cleanliness in the area.
Hlamulo Kalefeta, the vice president of Afrika Tikkun, said, “It is a matter of teaching young people that we can be creative with how we handle our waste; maybe we can even create jobs for ourselves.”
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The event also served as a platform for community building and raising awareness about the importance of recycling. By sorting waste during the cleanup, volunteers helped ensure that recyclable materials were properly handled, reducing the overall environmental footprint of the event.
UN International Youth Day, observed annually on August 12, is dedicated to celebrating young people’s contributions to society and encouraging them to continue to play active roles in the development of their communities. This year’s cleanup at the Randburg taxi rank is a testament to the power of youth activism in driving positive change at a local level.
Righteousness Maluleke, from Clean City South Africa, said, “Just seeing the environment dirty breaks my heart, and all I want to do is take care of the environment.”
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