A cleaner Malvern for all
Mike Spadino, chairperson of the forum, said it is with pride that his organisation has joined the initiative.
Malvern Care Team (MCT), with Crime Sector Forum Three (Malvern), kicked off their volunteer day in an attempt to curb illegal dumping in Malvern on September 21.
Several councillors and community members were on hand to get their hands dirty on the day as part of an initiative dubbed Clean Malvern.
The groups at the forefront of it hoped to educate residents about issues related to pollution and negate the effects of large-scale pollution.
“We as MCT support this initiative as it is a great opportunity for all members of the community to unite and do what is best for Malvern.
“If you clean outside your house and you teach your neighbours to do the same, the whole community will benefit from it,” said MCT interim chairperson Nomvula Sidu.
Mike Spadino, chairperson of the forum, said it is with pride that his organisation has joined the initiative.
“It will hopefully create true neighbourliness among residents, which is important in combating the grime and crime, and will create a sense of pride in our suburb,” he said.
A concerned resident, Gugulethu Sangweni, said, “I want to lead this cleaning campaign, as this is my suburb and we need to take care of it. It needs to be spotless like my kitchen and need not look like a pigsty.
“Remember, cleanliness is next to godliness,” she remarked.
Ward 118 Clr Neuren Pietersen said the initiative could not have come a moment too soon, and reiterated the need for Malvern to be given a little love.
“The Clean Malvern team will show the residents that they are empowered to live in a clean neighbourhood,” said Pietersen, while PR Clr in Ward 65 and 123 McKinnley Mitchell marvelled at the community camaraderie seen on the day.
“Instead of depending on Pikitup to clean the area, residents are taking initiative themselves. That way, they are taking ownership of their own area and will also hopefully stop illegal dumping,” said McKinnley, believing that the community will embrace the new initiative going forward.
Telana Simpson, who is the forum’s deputy chairperson, said the community was able to fill up 292 bags on the day, in addition to efforts by Pikitup.
She noted that the area looked improved, with hot spots, such as the intersection of Loch and Persimmons streets, numerous sites along St Fresquin Street, and the hugely deprived area behind Shoprite along Persimmon Street, looking much cleaner.
Other intersections cleaned on the day included St Fresquin and Frere, Barkly and St Amant and Barkley and Galteemore streets.
