Turning dumping site to a soccer field
The unemployed parents and youth at Tsakane are using their free time to contribute towards creating a clean and healthy environment.
The filthiness and the bad smell from one of the biggest illegal dumping sites in Tsakane, not far from the community library, is no more, thanks to the unemployed young and old people from that area.
The newly established old and young people’s community club has more than 20 members, the majority of whom are pensioners.
According to the club founder, Elizabeth Waza-waza Maseko, she formed the club after she realised that one of the biggest problems in their area are illegal dumping sites next to their homes.
She said she also noticed that these illegal dumping sites deny their children the right to play as the open spaces that may be used as playing grounds have been turned into illegal dumping sites by irresponsible residents.
Three months ago, parents and a few young people started to clean the illegal dumping site using their bakkies to remove all the rubbish to different dumping areas.
The members are spending most of their time working in that area, turning it into a soccer playing ground to be named ‘Ubude Abuphangwa’ mini ground.
“With permission from our ward councillor to turn the place into a soccer field, I am proud to say that it is almost done and that in a few months time children will be using it to play soccer after school hours and during the weekends,” said an excited Maseko.
One of the young people who has dedicated his time in doing what is best for the community, Lucky Mokoena (21), said he is not only helping in turning the illegal dumping site into a soccer field but he believes that he is also helping the youth to avoid being involved in drugs and criminal activities.
Lucky, who has been out of jail for a few months, said because he was unemployed and did not have something to keep him busy, he turned to using drugs thinking that it was an easy escape from his problems, not aware that he was creating more problems for himself.
“I was arrested after I was found with drugs and the life in jail made me realise that I need to help other young people not to make the same mistake that I did,” said Lucky.
