A youth organisation based in Ward 38 KTC, Gugulethu held a clean-up campaign in Mjodo Street, near the Masincedane Clinic, on Thursday 17 September in an effort to promote environmental hygiene.
Members of Lulwazi Lwethu rolled their sleeves up and cleaned-up an illegal dumping site.
Educating the community
Lulwazi Lwethu supervisor Malakhiwe Khondlo described the campaign as part of an awareness drive, educating the community about the importance of protecting their environment and keeping it clean.
“We have a problem of illegal dumping in Ward 38, where people just discard their rubbish anywhere,” she said. “Sometimes they dump the carcasses of dogs and cats, which cause air pollution because of the stench. We encourage people to use their wheelie bins or plastic bags to dispose of their rubbish.” Khondlo urged people renovating their houses to stop dumping rubble in public spaces. She said it was also essential for people to know more about recycling, which will do much to curb illegal dumping.
A stepping stone for youth
Explaining Ulwazi, Khondlo said it is a youth organisation under the National Youth Services, where participants are hired on a contract basis.
“We are hired on a six-month basis, and after the contract expires the City takes another group. Every six months it takes 300 youth. It is part of job creation for unemployed youth,” she explained. She said they clean the area four times a week.
Councillor calls for community action
Ward 38 councillor Suzannes Zumana praised the organisation for the great initiative because illegal dumping is a major challenge in the ward. She urged the community to use wheelie bins and plastic bags to store their rubbish.
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“It is unfortunate that there is rubbish near the clinic. This place should be clean. We planted trees here two years ago to try and discourage people from dumping here, but they have never stopped.” Zumana said residents of both informal and formal areas dumped their rubbish there illegally.
