Let’s not allow filth to be the hallmark of our society, says Sehoai

Residents of the iconic township of Alexandra have been called upon to support the Klina Mhlali campaign by ensuring that during the festive season they celebrate responsibly and clean their mess afterward.

The call was made by the We Love Alexandra Community Makeover Project’s community relations officer Ramatamo Sehoai, who urged the community that as some of them pack up their bags and head to different holiday destinations, they bear in mind that they will at the end of the festive season return to the township.

“I, therefore, encourage all of you to ensure you leave the township clean so that when you return, you come back to a clean place. Those that remain behind, must also celebrate responsibly and clean up their mess afterward.

“This must become a habit for all of us, that whenever we see the place dirty, we should take it upon ourselves to tidy it up. No one will come from somewhere else to clean our mess, but we should take charge to ensure the place is clean and habitable and does not pose any health hazard to ourselves and our children,” Sehoai said.

The makeover project takes this opportunity to wish everybody in Alexandra a safe journey on the road and to drive responsibly and not to drink and drive at the same time.

On November 26, the makeover project, which aims at the rebuilding and the beautification of Alexandra, held its first-ever clean-up campaign known as Klina Mhlali and laid a foundation for the kind of Alexandra that is envisaged by the campaign.

“The festive season as we all know is the time for large spending and consumerism and this is often shown by too much litter and the refuse heaps in every corner of our township.

“We would like the residents to be mindful of the stench and potential diseases that can be spread around as the result of uncollected refuse and the harm that this can do to the environment.

“Surely, municipal workers cannot cope alone, at some point they will need us to play our part. Another ultimate aim of the makeover project is to attract investors and the business community to invest in the township which will eventually create the much-needed jobs to end poverty, and crime and boost our local tourism. We believe this can only happen in a clean environment,” Sehoai said.

The makeover project urges each and every one to play their part in ensuring they make a difference in the small spaces they live in and in their streets. “Let’s make cleaning and picking up litter to be our lifestyle.

“We encourage each household to have refuse bags and take them out when Pikitup trucks arrive, so it is not damaged by rodents and dogs and goats roaming around seeking food. Let’s also look for the nearest dustbin to throw our litter and not just chuck it down. Let’s learn how to recycle and separate our waste at source.

“These are some of the many ways to manage waste. We are a better people, and we deserve better. Filth and dirt cannot be the mirror of our society,” Sehoai concluded.