Kliptown residents in Soweto have answered the call to join the #LoveYourStreet campaign, by taking to the streets to clean their neighbourhood, in a demonstration that cleaner communities depend on collective action.
They joined Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, as she rolled up her sleeves, handed over refuse bins and planted trees - as part of government’s ongoing drive to foster community pride, active citizenship and clean and safe neighbourhoods.
Ntshavheni was accompanied by Johannesburg Mayor, Dada Morero, senior government officials, non-governmental organisations and civil society groups for the Kliptown leg of the campaign.
The initiative also advances the Presidential One Billion Trees Planting Campaign, which promotes an inclusive, collaborative approach to environmental sustainability, greening, climate resilience and community participation.
“Today we are in the Kliptown area. We came here because we heard the community’s concerns that the area was not clean and that there was extensive illegal dumping. We have received support throughout the week and will continue working here,” the Minister told SAnews.gov.za.
Ntshavheni launched the Love Your Street campaign in the Western Cape, earlier this year, and over the past two weeks, the campaign has also been rolled out in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality.
The campaign also supports President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call to transform neglected, poorly lit and overgrown parks and open spaces identified as gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) hotspots, into safe, clean community spaces.
It also raises awareness of GBVF reporting channels and available support services.
Tackling challenges
On the ground in Kliptown, Ntshavheni encouraged residents to take responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean.
Community members, in turn, raised concerns about refuse removal and the distribution of refuse bags.
“The City of Johannesburg has responded [to concerns]. Pikitup will distribute refuse bags to communities and continue collecting refuse. The community has also acknowledged that refuse is collected in certain areas. Collection does not take place only once a week; depending on the volume, it sometimes takes place twice a week,” she said.
The Minister said government would develop a plan to help the community establish corridors of cleanliness and support food gardens created through the Community Work Programme (CWP).
The CWP provides a job safety net for unemployed people of working age, enabling them to perform useful work that builds public assets, delivers social services and improves the quality of life in marginalised communities.
Touching every street
The Love Your Street campaign is being extended to other provinces to accelerate and strengthen coordinated service-delivery interventions.
“We also appreciate the support of the municipalities and cities that have partnered with us. While we are here today, another programme began yesterday in Nelson Mandela Bay under the leadership of Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe, who is leading clean-up activities across various wards to address illegal dumping.
“We also call on the communities of Nelson Mandela Bay to join us in loving their streets and keeping their areas clean,” Ntshavheni said.
She added that government would install “No Illegal Dumping” signs in selected areas to remind residents that illegal dumping is an offence.
“Illegal dumping is against the law. That is why the community meetings we are holding are so important,” Ntshavheni said.
The Minister is expected to return to Kliptown on Wednesday to discuss practical ways for residents and government to keep neighbourhoods clean and safe.
“We appreciate the community’s response and participation in the clean-up. We also call on the communities of Ekurhuleni to continue loving their streets and to stop illegal dumping.
“We are thoroughly cleaning the Kaalspruit stream area and converting it into a park so that it can become a vibrant public space.
“This work will also help reduce pollution flowing into the Hennops River and, ultimately, Hartbeespoort Dam, where pollution remains a problem,” the Minister said.
Ntshavheni also commended the City of Matlosana Local Municipality in the North West province for joining the campaign and sustaining its clean-up efforts.
“In Matlosana, businesses and residents who dump illegally are traced and required to clean the affected areas. Our message to communities and businesses in Matlosana is clear: no illegal dumping. The City actively follows up on violations,” Ntshavheni said. -SAnews.gov.za
