 Alex gets a clean up
Gloves and overalls were the order of the day, when the mayor
and his team pitched in to help a massive clean up under way in
Alexandra.
THE detritus that comes from daily living and trading around the Pan
Africa Shopping Mall in Alexandra was swept up as Executive Mayor Amos
Masondo and members of the mayoral committee headed a cleanup campaign
on 3 May.
It was the third major clean up in Alex and involved City officials
working alongside members of the community and organisations such as
City Parks, the Johannesburg Roads Agency, Pikitup and the Community
Workers Forum to educate informal traders and shop owners on the
importance of cleanliness.
“We want the residents and traders to take ownership of their
environment and be proud of making their environment a clean and
healthy one; that in this way, residents and the City can win the war
on littering, dumping and rodents, while instilling a culture of civic
pride,” Masondo said.
Residents and businesses generate approximately 1,6 million tons of
waste a year, of which over 250 000 is dumped illegally. Region E’s
urban management team and the City have been focusing on engaging with
the people of Alex about how waste such as rotting garbage, food and
rubble attracts rodents, which then breed uncontrollably.
Siyakhona, an education and outreach programme to train citizen
journalists, was launched in 2010 and after the six trainee
journalists pinpointed the infestation of rats in Alex as a major
problem, the City got involved and initiated cleanup programmes.
In line with this, officials donned overalls and gloves to tackle the
debris and illustrate to residents the best way to handle waste
disposal.
The City has intensified its campaign to clear streets and public
places of garbage and has warned of the harsh measures put in place
for those found guilty of illegal dumping, especially if they are
repeat offenders. By-law enforcement has also been strengthened in
this area, and wrongdoers will be prosecuted as well as run the risk
of being heavily fined.
The Johannesburg metropolitan police department is responsible for
enforcement and residents can report cases of illegal dumping by
calling Joburg Connect on 011 375 5555 or by sending an email to
joburgconnect@joburg.org.za.
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