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More than 72 places in Johannesburg were cleaned by the City and volunteers during Shanyela Amabala on Saturday.
VERY early in the morning, Susan Twala was in Ellis Park with her four children, to pick up rubbish in the area as part of the City's annual Shanyela Amabala campaign.
Executive mayor Amos Masondo and the City deputy director of communications Nthatisi Modingoane busy cleaning up a street
A resident of Mulbarton, Twala was one of the many volunteers who responded to the City's call to clean up on Saturday, 5 June. "It has been a wonderful day," she said. "I have managed to fill up five bags and I am already feeling hungry despite the fact that I brought bread [to eat]."
She gave her reasons for participating in the campaign: "I want the world to see a clean and beautiful city when they come to watch the 2010 FIFA World Cup™."
The city was in frantic activity on the day, as church groups, non-governmental organisations, communities, celebrities, companies and individuals pitched in to clean the streets. The campaign was organised by Pikitup to change residents' mindsets as well as showcase a cleaner Joburg during the football tournament.
Shanyela Amabala was held in more than 72 locations. Volunteers were engaged in a range of activities, including the cleaning up of local streets and landscapes. Areas that were cleaned up included the Chris Hani Baragwanath Taxi Rank in Soweto, Ivory Park, Orlando Stadium and Industria West.
Volunteer
Scheree Penhall, another volunteer, described how much she and her family had enjoyed taking part in the campaign. "It was loads of fun and my kids enjoyed picking up litter from the streets ... It is the first time I am participating in such an event and I will always try to get the children to do something useful for society."
Penhall had driven all the way with her two children from Mondeor to Ellis Park to take part.
Launched in 2009, Shanyela Amabala spreads a message of hope and encouragement to people of different ages and social levels to address the most pressing environment challenges of the city.
The executive director of the City's health directorate, Refik Bismilla, cleans up a street in Soweto
Wearing bright green and blue overalls, City officials were also seen picking up litter all over Joburg. Executive Mayor Amos Masondo, who was in very high spirits, was among them.
During a tour to Orlando Stadium in Soweto, Industria West, Ellis Park and Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown to drum up support for the campaign, Masondo said the City was using the pressure of the World Cup to clean up.
"We are moving closer to making Johannesburg a world-class city. This work cannot be achieved unless we form a partnership with other organisations."
Environment
Media organisations that were involved in spearheading the clean up campaign included radio stations YFM and Highveld 94.7, and The Citizen newspaper. Masondo highlighted the importance of educating young people about conserving the environment
"Every adult has a responsibility to ensure positive influence on the youngsters. If we do that more often, I am quite sure that we will have a better society," he said.
The member of the mayoral committee for transport, Rehana Moosajee, encouraged people to come out in large numbers to participate in the campaign. "It is quite disturbing to see people throwing litter on the ground despite the fact that the city provides plastic bags," she said. "It is important to teach our children lifelong habits on how to dispose and recycle waste."
City residents help clean up Johannesburg
She also urged commuters not to throw litter from the window of vehicles.
Rafik Bismilla, the City's executive director of health, said the campaign was in line with Johannesburg's continuous efforts to enhance the quality of life of its residents.
"More managers should come out their offices and participate in such activities. There is no better way of understanding on how things are done on the ground," he said. "A clean area contributes highly to improved mental health ... If you live in a dirty area, it creates depression and hopelessness."
Sanjeev Raghubir, the chairman of Pikitup's operations committee, described the campaign as a great success. "I am pleased to see the media embracing the campaign. [However,] we can still do more to create awareness about waste management."
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