Sanco leads the way in a clean-up campaign
Sanco held a clean-up campaign to raise awareness of the need for a clean environment in the community of Alexandra.
More than 40 community members volunteered to be part of the clean-up awareness campaign hosted by the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) at Tsutsumani behind Alex Mall.
The campaign aimed to raise awareness about the importance of environmental protection and conservation. It was also an opportunity to educate people about recycling and reducing waste.
The chairperson of Sanco Dumisani Nkosi said it is everyone’s responsibility to keep the community clean and safe.
“This campaign serves as an educational awareness where the community can empower themselves instead of relying on community organisations or government. We have a huge problem of illegal dumping taking place because we find furniture and rubble on the open field, as well as normal household refuse.
“Our appeal for the clean-up awareness campaign is for our community to get involved to take pride in their environment because they live here and do not tolerate outsiders or even neighbours dumping dirt in the environment.
He added that this campaign is an important step in raising awareness about the importance of cleanliness and sustainability making sure that our neighborhoods are free from litter and debris because a clean environment is a healthy environment.
Volunteers from Sanco and the community members worked together to clean up streets, parks and open spaces. They collected litter and removed grass from the paths where people walk.
The project manager of Rekganyeng Leseding Development Initiatives Jankey Matlala said they want the residents to be responsible for taking care of their community.
“The reason we hold this campaign is to educate the community to keep their environment clean to protect themselves from diseases caused by rubbish.
“We want people to take care of themselves by keeping their environment clean at all times and by not throwing litter and papers anywhere. Today we are cleaning outside the mall because it does not make sense when it is clean inside the mall while it’s dirt outside,” Matlala said.
One of the volunteers who participated in the campaign Maria Ntshane said “It is great to see so many people come together to make a difference in the community because our environment is very dirty and the government is doing nothing about it.
“We decided to clean up on our own because it does not make sense when we are staying in clean homes while the outside is dirty and the clean environment means healthy lives.”
Related article: Vukani Informal Settlement in Alex stands together and clean their area
