Despite the chilly temperatures on September 23, the community came together to support the unveiling of the ‘No Dumping’ sign at the Kliprivier clean-up event at Orlando, led by the Hlanzekile River and Ocean Cleaning team.
This initiative aimed to tackle the severe pollution affecting the vital waterway, aligning with the global theme ‘Make Room for Life’ for World Cleanup Day 2024.
Lita Betha, community development manager at Hlanzekile River and Ocean Cleaning, expressed her enthusiasm for the community’s response.
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“Witnessing community members brave the cold to join us by the river demonstrated a shared commitment to a cleaner environment.
“We have identified an awareness gap and are committed to addressing it through targeted educational initiatives and multi-sectoral collaboration,” said Betha.
The event connected individuals, schools, and organisations with a shared goal of reducing pollution.
Empowering youth, inspiring change.
Floyd Nyai, founder of Hlanzekile, emphasised the importance of involving young people in environmental initiatives.
“By engaging pupils from Shomang Primary School, we aimed to inspire a new generation of environmental leaders who understand the importance of preserving our planet.”
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The active participation of Shomang Primary School pupils contributed to the clean-up and included educational activities designed to instil a sense of responsibility towards nature.
As the day unfolded, participants felt a renewed commitment to environmental action.
The collective effort demonstrated that, even in challenging conditions, the community could come together to ensure their rivers and ecosystems remained clean and vibrant for future generations.
Thanks to the concerted efforts of the community and Hlanzekile, an impressive 50 bags of waste were collected during the event.
Key highlights:
• 50 bags of waste collected during the event.
• Community members braved icy temperatures to support the initiative.
• Educational activities for Shomang Primary School pupils.
• Commitment to inspiring a new generation of environmental leaders
World Cleanup Day 2024 emphasised waste removal and reclamation of spaces where life can thrive, promoting sustainable waste management practices and reducing pollution that disrupts ecosystems.
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